Barcode reader and accessory for the barcode reader

ABSTRACT

A barcode reader and an accessory are disclosed. The accessory may include an interface system and a wireless and/or wired interface for communication with a host computer such that the barcode reader may communicate with the host computer via the accessory. The interface system includes an authentication coprocessor such that the barcode reader may establish mutual authentication with the host computer using the authentication coprocessor of the interface system. The barcode reader may send a request for an accessory identifier, and the accessory may then query the authentication coprocessor for the accessory identifier and provide the accessory identifier to the barcode reader. The barcode reader may send an authentication challenge to the accessory, and the accessory may then present the authentication challenge to the authentication coprocessor to obtain an authentication response, and provide the authentication response to the barcode reader.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation-in-part application claiming priorityto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/540,200, filed Nov. 13, 2014,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is generally related to a barcode reader and anaccessory for the barcode reader.

BACKGROUND

A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of information.Devices for identifying or extracting information from barcodes aregenerally referred to as barcode readers. A laser-based barcode reader(a barcode scanner or laser scanner) includes a laser or otherillumination source generating a very narrow illumination beam, a mirroror other optic system for moving illumination beam across a barcodepattern, and a photo sensor which senses, and generates a signalindicated of, the differential in the quantity of the illumination beamthat is reflected from the reflective (e.g. white) portions of thebarcode pattern and the non-reflective (e.g. black or dark) portions ofthe barcode pattern. A decoder processes the signal from thephotodetector and extracts the information contained in the barcode(e.g. decoded data). An image-based barcode reader includes a camera forcapturing an image of a barcode pattern. The camera includes a focusinglens that focuses light reflected from a target area onto a photo sensorarray. Once an image of a barcode pattern has been captured by thecamera, a decoder processes the image and extracts the informationcontained in the barcode.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided an externallypowered barcode reader. The externally powered barcode reader isoperable when coupled to an external power source. The externallypowered barcode reader may include a decoder stored in memory andexecuted by a processor of the barcode reader. The decoder is configuredto generate decoded data from an image of a barcode captured by a camera(i.e., an image sensor) an image-based barcode reader or the signalrepresentative of a barcode pattern detected by a photo sensor of alaser based barcode reader. The barcode reader may include operatingpower management circuitry configured to receive operating power from anexternal power source for operating the barcode reader. The barcodereader may include a wireless interface for communication with a hostcomputer. The barcode reader may include an authentication system (e.g.,an authentication coprocessor) configured to send an authenticationresponse in response to an authentication challenge from the hostcomputer. The authentication response identifies the externally poweredbarcode reader as a trusted accessory to the host computer. Theexternally powered barcode reader may obtain the authenticationchallenge from the host computer and provide the authentication responseto the host computer using the wireless interface.

Alternatively or additionally, the externally powered barcode reader mayinclude an accessory protocol code which, when executed by theprocessor, enables communication with an operating system of the hostcomputer and provision of data to an application operating on the hostcomputer using an accessory communication protocol.

The accessory communication protocol may require that the decoded databe encapsulated in a communication packet with a header identifying thecommunication packet as containing data and including a specificationidentity (ID) value, which uniquely associates with a specification forthe data included in the communication packet. The accessorycommunication protocol may require that information for the operatingsystem of the host computer be encapsulated in a communication packetwith a header identifying the communication packet as a control packet.

The wireless interface may be a wireless local area network (WLAN)interface. Alternatively or additionally, the wireless interface may bea wireless point-to-point interface.

Alternatively or additionally, the externally powered barcode reader mayinclude a power/data interface through which the operating powermanagement circuitry receives operating power from the external powersource other than the host computer. The operating power managementcircuitry may receive all or substantially all power required for thepresent operation of the externally powered barcode reader. All externalpower received by the operating power management circuitry may be usedfor operation of the externally powered barcode reader at substantiallythe same time it is received from the external power source.

The externally powered barcode reader may be a hand-held barcode reader,a presentation scanner, or any other type of device, in each case beingan image-based barcode reader or a laser-based barcode reader.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a barcodereader.

The barcode reader may be: i) a laser-based barcode reader comprising anarrow beam illumination source, a mirror or other optic system forscanning the illumination beam across a barcode within a field of viewof a photodetector which generates a signal indicative of differentreflective characteristics of the barcode pattern; or ii) an image-basedbarcode reader including an image sensor (e.g., a camera) for capturingan image of a barcode within a field of view of the barcode reader, and,in each case, a connector for receiving operating power from a remotepower source via a flexible cable. The barcode reader may include awireless communication interface for communicating with a remote hostover a wireless communication link. The barcode reader may also includea processor configured to obtain a status of a trusted accessory to theremote host by: i) receiving an authentication challenge from the remotehost over the wireless communication link; ii) subjecting theauthentication challenge to an authentication algorithm to obtain anauthentication response; and iii) providing the authentication responseto the remote host over the wireless communication link. The processormay be further configured to generate decoded data by decoding thesignal generated by the photodetector of a laser-based barcode reader orthe image of the barcode captured by the image sensor, and provide thedecoded data via the wireless communication link to the remote hostafter obtaining the status of a trusted accessory to the remote host.The wireless communication interface may be a wireless point-to-pointinterface or a WLAN interface.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor may be configured toencapsulate the decoded data in a communication packet with a headeridentifying the communication packet as containing data and including aspecification ID value which uniquely associates with a specificationfor the data included in the communication packet. The processor may befurther configured to encapsulate information for an operating system ofthe remote host in a communication packet with a header identifying thecommunication packet as a control packet. The processor may be furtherconfigured to receive from the remote host a control packet includingconfiguration commands for the barcode reader.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an externallypowered barcode reader. The barcode reader is coupled to a remote powersource via a flexible cable and draws substantially all power consumedby operation of the barcode reader from the remote power sourcecontemporaneously with its consumption. The externally powered barcodereader may be: i) a laser-based barcode reader comprising a narrow beamillumination sources, a mirror or other optic system for scanning theillumination beam across a barcode within a field of view of thephotodetector which generates a signal indicative of differentreflective characteristics of the barcode pattern; or ii) an image-basedbarcode reader include an image sensor for capturing an image of abarcode within a field of view of the barcode reader. The barcode readermay include a wireless interface for communication with a remote hostover a wireless link. The barcode reader may include a code, stored inmemory and executed by a processor, for authenticating the barcodereader as a trusted accessory to the remote host, generating decodeddata from signal generated by the photodetector of a laser-based barcodereader or the image of the barcode captured by the image sensor of animage-based barcode reader, and providing the decoded data to the remotehost utilizing a communication protocol over the wireless link after thebarcode reader has been authenticated as a trusted accessory to theremote host.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader may include a code,stored in the memory and executed by the processor, for enablingcommunication with an operating system of the remote host and provisionof data to an application operating on the remote host using anaccessory communication protocol. The accessory communication protocolmay require that the decoded data be encapsulated in a communicationpacket with a header identifying a specification to which the decodeddata in the communication packet conforms. The accessory communicationprotocol may require that information for the operating system of theremote host be encapsulated in a communication packet with a headeridentifying the communication packet as a control packet.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an accessoryfor a barcode reader. The accessory provides operating power to thebarcode reader and provides decoded data of a barcode pattern receivedfrom the barcode reader to a host computer. The accessory includes afirst power/data connector for connecting to a barcode reader, and asecond power/data connector for connecting to a host computer or a powersource. The accessory includes a first power/data interface coupled tothe first power/data connector, wherein decoded data of a barcodepattern is received from the barcode reader via the first power/datainterface. The accessory includes a second power/data interface coupledto the second power/data connector, wherein the second power/datainterface is configured to provide a communication link to the hostcomputer.

The accessory includes a relay communication system configured to obtaina status of a trusted accessory to the host computer by: i) receiving anauthentication challenge from the host computer over the communicationlink; ii) subjecting the authentication challenge to an authenticationalgorithm to obtain an authentication response; and iii) providing theauthentication response to the host computer over the communicationlink. The relay communication system is also configured to relay decodeddata of an image of a barcode received from the barcode reader to thehost computer after obtaining status as a trust accessory to the hostcomputer. The relay communication system may be configured to relay thedecoded data to the host computer using iPod® Accessory Protocol iAP oriAP2.

The accessory may include power interface circuits coupled to the firstpower/data interface and the second power/data interface, and configuredto draw operating power for the barcode reader from a power source andprovide the operating power for the barcode reader to the barcodereader. The power interface circuits may draw operating power for therelay communication system from the power source and provide theoperating power for the relay communication system to the relaycommunication system.

The first power/data connector and the second power/data connector maybe a Universal Serial Bus (USB) male connector. The operating powerprovided to the barcode reader may comply with USB specification.

Alternatively or additionally, the accessory may include radio frequency(RF) circuits for communicating with the host computer via a wirelesslink.

Alternatively or additionally, the power interface circuits may draw theoperating power for the barcode reader and/or the relay communicationsystem from the host computer. The host computer may be a mobile device.Alternatively or additionally, the power interface circuits may draw theoperating power for the barcode reader and/or the relay communicationsystem from a wall outlet via a transformer. The transformer may beincluded in the second power/data connector.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an accessoryfor a barcode reader for providing operating power to the barcode readerand providing decoded data of a barcode pattern received from thebarcode reader to a host computer. The accessory includes a power/dataconnector for connecting to the barcode reader, and a power/datainterface coupled to the power/data connector, wherein decoded data of abarcode pattern is received from the barcode reader via the power/datainterface. The accessory also includes a power interface coupled to apower source and configured to draw operating power for the barcodereader from the power source and provide the operating power to thebarcode reader through the power/data connector. The accessory mayinclude a host interface coupled to the power/data interface andconfigured to authenticate the accessory as a trusted device to the hostcomputer, and provide decoded data received from the barcode reader tothe host computer utilizing a communication protocol after the accessoryhas been authenticated as a trusted device to the host computer.

Alternatively or additionally, the power interface may be configured todraw the operating power for the barcode reader from the power sourcevia a second power/data interface, and provide the operating power tothe barcode reader via the first power/data interface and the power/dataconnector. The power source may be the host computer. The host computermay be a mobile device. The power interface may draw the operating powerfrom a wall outlet via a transformer that may be included in the secondpower/data connector. The power/data connector may be a USB maleconnector. The operating power provided to the barcode reader may complywith USB specification.

Alternatively or additionally, the host interface may include a relaycode that, when executed by a processor of the accessory, sends thedecoded data received from the barcode reader to the host computer, anda protocol system comprising accessory protocol circuits and accessoryprotocol code. The protocol system may implement a communicationprotocol specific to the host computer when communicating with the hostcomputer, wherein the accessory protocol code is stored in the memory ofthe accessory and executed by the accessory protocol circuits. Thecommunication protocol may be iPod® Accessory Protocol iAP or iAP2.

Alternatively or additionally, the accessory may include RF circuits forcommunicating with the host computer via a wireless link.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an accessoryfor a barcode reader. The accessory includes a cable with a connectorfor connecting to the barcode reader, a first power/data interfaceconfigured to provide operating power to the barcode reader via thecable and the connector, a second power/data interface configured toreceive the operating power from a power source, and a code executableby a processor of the accessory. The code is configured to authenticatethe accessory as a trusted accessory to a mobile device (e.g., a hostcomputer/device), and send decoded data of a barcode pattern receivedfrom the barcode reader to the mobile device using a protocol after theaccessory has been authenticated to the mobile device.

Alternatively or additionally, the accessory may include RF circuits forcommunicating with the mobile device via a wireless link. The RFcircuits may be either a wireless point-to-point interface or a WLANinterface.

Alternatively or additionally, the mobile device may act as a masterdevice to the accessory.

Alternatively or additionally, the power source may be the mobiledevice. Alternatively or additionally, the second power/data interfacemay receive the operating power from a wall outlet via a transformer.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an accessoryfor a barcode reader for providing operating power to the barcode readerand providing decoded data of a barcode pattern received from thebarcode reader to a host computer. The accessory includes a power/dataconnector for connecting to the barcode reader, and a power/datainterface coupled to the power/data connector that receives decoded dataof an image of a barcode from the barcode reader. The accessory alsoincludes a power interface coupled to a power source for drawingoperating power for the barcode reader from the power source andproviding the operating power to the barcode reader through thepower/data connector. The accessory may also include a host interfacecircuit coupled to the power/data interface, and may be configured toauthenticate the accessory as a trusted device to the host computer, andprovide the decoded data received from the barcode reader to the hostcomputer utilizing a communication protocol after the accessory has beenauthenticated as a trusted device to the host computer.

Alternatively or additionally, the accessory may include memory thatincludes at least one of a point-to-point interface driver, an RFcircuit driver, an accessory protocol code, or a relay code.

Alternatively or additionally, the operating power provided to thebarcode reader complies with the USB specification. Alternatively oradditionally, the power interface may be configured to provide operatingpower to the accessory.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a barcodereader system. The barcode reader system includes an accessory and abarcode reader which may be: i) a laser-based barcode reader comprisinga narrow beam illumination source, a mirror or other optic system forscanning the illumination beam across a barcode within a field of viewof a photodetector which generates a signal indicative of differentreflective characteristics of the barcode pattern; or ii) an image-basedbarcode reader including an image sensor (e.g., a camera) for capturingan image of a barcode pattern within a field of view of the camera and,in each case generates decoded data of the barcode.

The accessory includes a connector, a power/data interface configured tocouple to the barcode reader via the connector and provide operatingpower to the barcode reader, a processor, and a code. The code isexecuted by the processor for authenticating the accessory as a trustedaccessory to a mobile device, receiving the decoded data from thebarcode reader via the power/data interface, and sending the decodeddata to the mobile device using a communication protocol after theaccessory has been authenticated to the mobile device.

Alternatively or additionally, the connector may be a USB maleconnector. Alternatively or additionally, the communication protocol maybe iPod® Accessory Protocol iAP or iAP2.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a barcodereader system including a barcode reader and an accessory for thebarcode reader. The barcode reader may be: i) a laser-based barcodereader comprising a narrow beam illumination source, a mirror or otheroptic system for scanning the illumination beam across a barcode withina field of view of a photodetector which generates a signal indicativeof different reflective characteristics of the barcode pattern; or ii)an image-based barcode reader including an image sensor for capturing animage of a barcode pattern within a field of view of the barcode readerand an image decoder configured to produce decoded image data, and apower conversion circuitry configured to convert received operatingpower into multiple operating power levels. The accessory includes acable with a connector for connecting to the barcode reader, a firstpower/data interface configured to operate as a master device to thebarcode reader and provide the operating power to the barcode reader viathe cable and the connector, and a second power/data interfaceconfigured to receive the operating power from a power source. Theaccessory may include an RF circuitry configured to wirelessly transmitthe decoded image data to a mobile device. The accessory may include aprotocol system configured to implement a communication protocolspecific to the mobile device. The protocol system includes accessoryprotocol circuits and accessory protocol code. The protocol system isconfigured to determine, based on a header of each received packet fromthe mobile device, whether each received packet is a control packet foruse in the protocol system or a data packet for use in the barcodereader. The control packet may include configuration commands for thebarcode reader.

Alternatively or additionally, the second power/data interface may beconfigured to receive the operating power from the mobile device.Alternatively or additionally, the second power/data interface may beconfigured to receive the operating power from a wall outlet via atransformer. Alternatively or additionally, the operating power providedto the barcode reader complies with the USB specification.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a barcodereading system for providing decoded data of a barcode pattern to a hostcomputer. The barcode reading system includes a barcode readercomprising a decoding code stored in the memory of the barcode readerand executed by a barcode reader processor to generate decoded data froma barcode pattern, a power/data cable, coupled to the barcode reader,for providing operating power to the barcode reader, and an accessorycircuit for communicating with the barcode reader though the power/datacable and establishing a communication link with the host computer. Theaccessory circuit may be configured to: i) authenticate the accessorycircuit as a trusted accessory to the host computer, and ii) provide thedecoded data received from the barcode reader to the host computer usinga communication protocol after the accessory circuit has beenauthenticated to the host computer.

Alternatively or additionally, the accessory circuit may include memorythat includes at least one of a point-to-point interface driver, an RFcircuit driver, an accessory protocol code, or a relay code.

Alternatively or additionally, the operating power provided to thebarcode reader complies with the USB specification. Alternatively oradditionally, the power/data cable may be configured to provideoperating power to the accessory circuit.

Alternatively or additionally, the accessory circuit may includeaccessory protocol code, which enables communication with an operatingsystem of the host computer and provision of data to an applicationoperating on the host computer using an accessory communicationprotocol. Alternatively or additionally, the accessory communicationprotocol may require that the decoded data be encapsulated in acommunication packet with a header identifying the communication packetas containing data and including a specification ID value which uniquelyassociates with a specification for the data included in thecommunication packet. The accessory communication protocol may furtherrequire that information for the operating system of the host computerbe encapsulated in a communication packet with a header identifying thecommunication packet as a control packet.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an accessoryfor a barcode reader for providing operating power to the barcode readerand providing decoded data of a barcode pattern received from thebarcode reader to a host computer. The accessory comprises a firstpower/data connector for connecting to a barcode reader, a secondpower/data connector for connecting to a host computer or a powersource, and an interface system including a processor, memory, anauthentication system, a first power/data interface for communicatingwith the barcode reader, a second power/data interface for communicatingwith the host computer, and a wireless interface for communicating withthe host computer. The interface system is configured to operate in botha command mode and a pass through mode, wherein in the command mode, theprocessor is configured to receive and process information received fromthe barcode reader, and in the pass through mode, the processor isconfigured to pass information received from the barcode reader to thehost computer.

The processor may be configured to convert the information received froma serial port profile format as received by the first power/datainterface to one of: i) a keyboard format for wireless transmission tothe host computer via the wireless interface; ii) a serial port profileformat for transmission to the host computer via the wireless interface;or iii) a Universal Serial Bus (USB) format for wired or wirelesstransmission to the host computer via the second power/data interface orthe wireless interface.

The processor may be configured to pass information received from thehost computer to the barcode reader, wherein the processor is configuredto convert the information from a serial port profile format, a keyboardformat, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) format as received from the hostcomputer to a serial port profile format used for transmission to thebarcode reader via the first power/data interface.

The processor may be configured to place radio frequency (RF) systems ofthe interface system into a discoverable mode in response to a requestfrom the barcode reader, and establish a secure RF connection with thehost computer in the discoverable mode. The secure RF connection may bea Bluetooth pairing between the interface system and the host computer.The secure RF connection may be established in response to a user of thehost computer selecting the interface system for pairing.

The processor may be configured to forward a request for an accessoryidentifier received from the host computer to the barcode reader,receive the request for the accessory identifier from the barcodereader, query the authentication system for the accessory identifier inresponse to the request for the accessory identifier, receive theaccessory identifier from the authentication system, and send theaccessory identifier to the barcode reader. The accessory identifier maybe generated by the authentication system or a digital certificatestored in the interface system. The communication between the processorand the authentication system may be performed by way ofInter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) communication over an internal bus.

The processor may be configured to forward an authentication challengereceived from the host computer to the barcode reader, receive theauthentication challenge from the barcode reader, present theauthentication challenge to the authentication system, obtain anauthentication response from the authentication system, and provide theauthentication response to the barcode reader. The processor may beconfigured to send a message to the barcode reader confirming completionof authentication.

In accordance with another embodiment, a power/data cable for a barcodereader is provided. The power/data cable comprises a first power/dataconnector for connecting to a barcode reader, a second power/dataconnector for connecting to a host computer or a power source, and aninterface system including a plurality of interfaces for communicatingwith the barcode reader and the host computer. The interface system maybe configured to pass information between the host computer and thebarcode reader, and may include an authentication system for supportingauthentication between the host computer and the barcode reader inresponse to a request from the barcode reader.

The interface system may be configured to convert the informationreceived from a serial port profile format as received from the barcodereader to one of: i) a keyboard format for wireless transmission to thehost computer via a wireless interface; ii) a serial port profile formatfor transmission to the host computer via the wireless interface; oriii) a Universal Serial Bus (USB) format for wired or wirelesstransmission to the host computer via a wired interface or the wirelessinterface.

The interface system may be configured to pass information received fromthe host computer to the barcode reader, wherein the interface system isconfigured to convert the information from a serial port profile format,a keyboard format, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) format as receivedfrom the host computer to a serial port profile format used fortransmission to the barcode reader.

The interface system may be configured to forward a request for anaccessory identifier received from the host computer to the barcodereader, receive the request for the accessory identifier from thebarcode reader, query the authentication system for the accessoryidentifier in response to the request for the accessory identifier,receive the accessory identifier from the authentication system, andsend the accessory identifier to the barcode reader.

The interface system may be configured to forward an authenticationchallenge received from the host computer to the barcode reader, receivethe authentication challenge from the barcode reader, present theauthentication challenge to the authentication system, obtain anauthentication response from the authentication system, and provide theauthentication response to the barcode reader.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an accessoryfor a barcode reader. The accessory comprises a first connector forconnecting to a barcode reader, a second connector for connecting to ahost computer or a power source, and an interface system including awireless interface for communicating with the host computer and anauthentication coprocessor. The interface system is configured to passinformation between the barcode reader and the host computer.

The interface system may be configured to forward a request for anaccessory identifier received from the host computer to the barcodereader, receive the request for the accessory identifier from thebarcode reader, query the authentication coprocessor for the accessoryidentifier in response to the request for the accessory identifier,receive the accessory identifier from the authentication coprocessor,and send the accessory identifier to the barcode reader.

The interface system may be configured to forward an authenticationchallenge received from the host computer to the barcode reader, receivethe authentication challenge from the barcode reader, present theauthentication challenge to the authentication coprocessor, obtain anauthentication response from the authentication coprocessor, and providethe authentication response to the barcode reader. The interface systemmay be configured to establish a Bluetooth pairing with the hostcomputer.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a barcodereader, comprising a processor, either a camera for capturing an imageof a barcode pattern or a laser-based barcode reading system forgenerating a photo-sensor signal representative of a barcode pattern, adecoder configured to generate decoded data from the photo-sensor signalrepresentative of the barcode pattern or the image of the barcodepattern, and operating power management circuitry configured to receiveoperating power from an external power source for operating the barcodereader through an accessory for providing operating power to the barcodereader. The processor is configured to communicate with the hostcomputer via the accessory.

The processor may be configured to send information in a command mode torequest the accessory to process the information, and send informationin a pass through mode to pass the information to the host computer viathe accessory.

The processor may be configured to send a request to the accessory toplace the accessory into a discoverable mode.

The processor may be configured to receive a request for an accessoryidentifier sent from the host computer via the accessory, and send theaccessory identifier to the host computer via the accessory. Theprocessor may be configured to send the request for the accessoryidentifier to the accessory, and receive the accessory identifier fromthe accessory, wherein the accessory identifier received from theaccessory may be sent to the host computer. The accessory identifier maybe generated by an authentication system in the accessory or a digitalcertificate stored in the accessory.

The processor may be configured to receive an authentication challengefrom the host computer via the accessory, and send an authenticationresponse to the host computer via the accessory. The processor may beconfigured to send the authentication challenge to the accessory, andreceive the authentication response from the accessory, wherein theauthentication response received from the accessory is sent to the hostcomputer. The processor may be configured to send a signal to a user toindicate completion of authentication and the ready state.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an externallypowered barcode reader, comprising a connector for receiving operatingpower from a remote power source via a flexible cable including aninterface system, an image sensor for capturing an image of a barcodewithin a field of view of the barcode reader, and a processor configuredto communicate information with a host computer via the flexible cableafter successful authentication with the host computer using anauthentication system included in the interface system of the flexiblecable.

The processor may be configured to send information in a command mode torequest the interface system to process the information, and sendinformation in a pass through mode to pass the information to the hostcomputer via the interface system.

The processor may be configured to send a request to the interfacesystem to place the interface system into a discoverable mode.

The processor may be configured to receive a request for an accessoryidentifier sent from the host computer via the interface system, sendthe request for the accessory identifier to the interface system,receive the accessory identifier from the interface system, and send theaccessory identifier received from the interface system to the hostcomputer via the interface system. The accessory identifier may begenerated by the authentication system in the interface system or adigital certificate stored in the interface system.

The processor may be configured to receive an authentication challengefrom the host computer via the interface system, send the authenticationchallenge to the interface system, receive an authentication responsefrom the interface system, and send the authentication responsegenerated by the authentication system included in the interface systemto the host computer via the interface system.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an externallypowered barcode reader, comprising an image sensor for capturing animage of a barcode within a field of view of the barcode reader, aconnector for receiving operating power from a remote power source via apower/data cable including an interface system, a processor, and a code,stored in the memory and executed by the processor, for communicatinginformation with a host computer via the power/data cable aftersuccessful authentication with the host computer using an authenticationsystem included in the interface system of the power/data cable.

The barcode reader may further comprise a code, stored in the memory andexecuted by the processor, for sending a request to the interface systemto place the interface system into a discoverable mode.

The barcode reader may further comprise a code, stored in the memory andexecuted by the processor, for receiving a request for an accessoryidentifier sent from the host computer via the interface system, sendingthe request for the accessory identifier to the interface system,receiving the accessory identifier from the interface system, andsending the accessory identifier received from the interface system tothe host computer via the interface system. The accessory identifier maybe generated by the authentication system in the interface system or adigital certificate stored in the interface system.

The barcode reader may further comprise a code, stored in the memory andexecuted by the processor, for receiving an authentication challengefrom the host computer via the interface system, sending theauthentication challenge to the interface system, receiving anauthentication response from the interface system, and sending theauthentication response generated by the interface system to the hostcomputer via the interface system.

A number of features are described herein with respect to embodiments ofthe invention. It will be appreciated that features described withrespect to a given embodiment may also be employed in connection withother embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts an example system including an externally poweredbarcode reader, embodied as a hand-held barcode reader, and a hostcomputer that are communicating over a wireless connection in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 1B depicts an example system including an externally poweredbarcode reader, embodied as a presentation barcode reader, and a hostcomputer that are communicating over a wireless connection in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 1C shows a diagram of an example power/data connector of anexternally powered barcode reader and a mating connector of a powercable in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts detailed components of the externally powered image-basedbarcode reader in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a ladder diagram representing an authentication procedure forauthenticating the barcode reader to a host computer as a trustedaccessory in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict example packet formats for communication betweenthe barcode reader and the host computer.

FIG. 5 depicts an example power/data cable in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6C show different embodiments of the interface system.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a battery powered barcode reader in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts exemplary communication between a barcode reader, anaccessory and a host computer in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts establishing a wireless communication link between anaccessory and a host computer in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts establishing a wireless communication link between anaccessory and a host computer in accordance with an alternativeembodiment.

FIG. 11 depicts establishing a wireless communication link between anaccessory and a host computer in accordance with an alternativeembodiment.

FIGS. 12A and 12B depict exemplary operation of an object detectionsystem embodied in a barcode reader in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 13 depicts an example system including an externally poweredbarcode reader, embodied as a presentation barcode reader.

FIGS. 14 and 15 depict exemplary operation of the externally poweredbarcode reader, the interface system of the power/data cable accessory,and the host computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a barcode reader that is eitherexternally powered from an external power source or powered by anexternal battery pack detachable from the barcode reader, and anaccessory connectable to the barcode reader for power and/or dataconnection.

FIG. 1A depicts an example system including an externally poweredbarcode reader 10 and a host computer 28 that are communicating over awireless communication link 40 in accordance with one embodiment. Theexternally powered barcode reader 10 may have a variety ofconfigurations. For example, the externally powered barcode reader 10may be a hand-held image capture type of barcode reader or a hand-heldlaser-based barcode reader. The externally powered barcode reader 10 mayinclude a hand-held housing 14 and a trigger switch 16. The externallypowered barcode reader 10 may have a field of view 17 extending towardsthe front of the externally powered barcode reader 10. Upon actuation ofthe trigger switch 16 by a user, the externally powered barcode reader10, if an image-based barcode reader, captures an image of a barcode 12within the field of view 17 or, if a laser-based barcode reader,generates a photo-sensor signal indicative of the barcode 12 within thefield of view 17.

The barcode reader 10 includes a power/data interface 174 to obtainoperating power from an external power source 26. In one embodiment, thepower/data interface 174 is coupled to a mating connector 18 of a powercable 20. The power cable 20 may include or be coupled to a transformer22 which converts ordinary AC power of 100V to 240V as provided by apower source 26 and available at a typical wall outlet 24 to DC power ofa specific voltage (e.g., 5V) for powering the barcode reader 10.

FIG. 1C shows a diagram of one example of the power/data interface 174of the externally powered barcode reader 10 and a mating connector 18 ofthe power cable 20 in accordance with one embodiment. The power/datainterface 174 of the barcode reader 10 and the mating connector 18 ofthe power cable 20 may include two conductors for power. The power/datainterface 174 and the mating connector 18 may include additionalconductors for data connection. The power/data interface 174 and themating connector 18 may be a 4-conductor connector (such as a USBconnector) which includes two conductors for power (PWR and GRND) andtwo conductors for data (D+ and D−).

The contacts for the power conductors 175 a, 18 a may extend fartherfrom the base of the power/data interface 174 and the mating connector18 such that the contacts for the power conductors 175 a, 18 a areengaged prior to the contacts for the data conductors 175 b, 18 b whenthe power/data interface 174 is coupled to the mating connector 18.

FIG. 1B depicts an example system including an externally poweredbarcode reader 11, embodied as a presentation barcode reader, and a hostcomputer 28 that are communicating over a wireless communication link 40in accordance with one embodiment. The externally powered barcode reader11 may comprise a housing 15 which includes a stand or base configuredfor supporting the barcode reader 11 on a flat surface such that a fieldof view 17 extends towards the front of the externally powered barcodereader 11. The externally powered barcode reader 11 may read barcodes 12which are presented to the barcode reader 11 by placement within thefield of view 17.

In one embodiment, the barcode reading systems (e.g. the image sensor,processor, illumination, or system package) may remain operationalsubstantially the entire time the barcode reader 11 is coupled to apower source and powered “on” such that it may read a barcode 12 whenthe barcode 12 is presented to the barcode reader 11 by placement withinthe field of view 17.

In another embodiment, the barcode reader 11 may include an objectdetection system 109 which may remain operational substantially theentire time the barcode reader 11 is coupled to a power source andpowered “on” such that when an object, or more specifically an objectwith contrast (black/white) consistent with that of a barcode 12 iswithin the field of view 17, the barcode reading systems may beactivated to read the barcode 12. The object detection system 109 mayitself have a field of view (not shown) that is within the centralportion of the field of view 17.

The barcode reader 11 includes a power/data connector (not shown) toobtain operating power from an external power source 26. In oneembodiment, the power/data connector is coupled to a mating connector 18of a power cable 20. Each of these components may be as described withrespect to FIG. 1A.

The host computer 28 (depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B) includes a processor34, a wireless interface 32 (which is labeled “RF” in FIGS. 1A and 1B),a wired interface 33, an operating system 36, and applications 38 a, 38b. The applications 38 a, 38 b running on the processor 34 may receivethe decoded data of an image of a barcode from the barcode reader 10 and11 via the wireless interface 32 or the wired interface 33. Theapplications 38 a, 38 b running on the host computer 28 may sendconfiguration commands to the barcode reader 10, 11 via the wirelessinterface 32 or the wired interface 33. The host computer 28 may be amobile device.

The externally powered barcode reader 10, 11 may be operable whencoupled to an external power source. The externally powered barcodereader 10, 11 is distinguishable from a battery powered barcode readersuch that the battery powered barcode reader may operate by batterypower without coupling to an external or detachable power source. Anexternally powered barcode reader 10, 11 may also be referred to as anon-battery powered barcode reader because it does not have a batteryfor operation while not being coupled to an external power source. Theterm “operation” means power up, including boot up, and typicaloperation of a barcode reader in its ordinary use.

The externally powered barcode reader 10, 11 may include a taskcompletion and shutdown power source (i.e., an internal power source,for example, a large capacitor (e.g., a Super Cap), a small battery, orother internal power source of minimal capacity) for task completion andshut down. The externally powered barcode reader 10, 11 may complete apending operation and perform an orderly shutdown of electroniccomponents within the barcode reader 10, 11 or perform an operation fora limited period of time with the power provided by the task completionand shutdown power source, for example, upon failure of, ordisconnection from, the external power source. The capacity of the taskcompletion and shutdown power source is significant enough forcompletion of a pending sequence of tasks such as completing reading anddecoding a code and transmitting decoded data for an in-process barcoderead or a sequence of barcode reads. An externally powered barcodereader 10, 11 with such a task completion and shutdown power source isdistinguishable from a battery powered barcode reader, which typicallyhas capabilities of powering up using battery power and operating for anextended period of time (e.g., more than one hour) on battery power.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the barcode reader 10, 11 mayinclude a wireless interface 108 (which is labeled “RF” in FIGS. 1A and1B) to communicate with a wireless interface 32 of a host computer 28over a wireless communication link 40. The wireless communication link40 may be established using a point-to-point wireless protocol such asBluetooth®, IEEE 802.11, or any other wireless communication protocolincluding, but not limited to, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access(WCDMA), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), cdma2000, Long Term Evolution(LTE), IEEE 802.16, or the like. When the wireless communication link 40is established data may be communicated between the barcode reader 10,11 and the host computer 28 via the wireless communication link 40.

Both the barcode reader 10, 11 and the host computer 28 may operate thewireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth®, IEEE 802.11, or anyother wireless communication protocols) to: i) establish a communicationlink between the wireless interface 108 of the barcode reader 10, 11 andthe corresponding wireless interface 32 of the host computer 28, and ii)enable application level communication between the barcode reader 10, 11and the host computer 28. In one embodiment, the application levelcommunication may be, for example, by way of USB framing or emulation.

Alternatively or additionally, the barcode reader 10, 11 and the hostcomputer 28 may implement a proprietary protocol for communication. Forexample, the barcode reader 10, 11 and the host computer 28 may operatecommunication protocols such as the iPod® Accessory Protocol (iAP oriAP2) over USB or other wired or wireless serial or point-to-pointinterfaces.

FIG. 2 depicts detailed components of the externally powered barcodereader 10, 11 in accordance with one embodiment. The barcode reader 10,11 may include an illumination system 130 and an imaging system 132. Theillumination system 130 may be configured to illuminate a target area,which may include a barcode, while the imaging system 132 captures oneor more images of the barcode. The illumination system 130 may includetargeting illumination and one or more sets of exposure illuminators.The illumination system 130 may include multiple illumination systems asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/105,380 entitled“Barcode Reader Having Multiple Illumination Systems and Multiple Setsof Imaging Optics” filed on Dec. 13, 2013, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference. The imaging system 132 may include oneor more optical systems 134 and one or more two-dimensional imagesensors 136 (e.g., a camera). Each image sensor 136 may comprise atwo-dimensional array of pixels and a detector capable of measuring orquantifying light incident on the pixel array. The image sensor 136 maybe a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor, complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS) sensor, etc. Each optical system 134 may comprise asingle lens or series of lenses capable of focusing light onto the imagesensor 136.

The barcode reader 10, 11 may further include a user interfacecomprising input control 138 and/or a display 140. The input control 138may include a trigger switch 142, a keypad 144, and/or a touch panel145, such as a touch screen, over the display 140. In addition, thebarcode reader 10, 11 may have one or more output devices that conveyinformation to a user. Such output devices may include the touch panel145, which may be a touch screen, a speaker 143, a vibrator 147, and/orone or more components that illuminate in a manner visible to a user,such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) 149.

The barcode reader 10, 11 may include one or more communicationinterfaces 108. More specifically, the barcode reader 10, 11 may includea wireless LAN interface 108 a, a wireless point-to-point interface 108b, and/or a wired point-to-point interface 108 c.

The wireless LAN interface 108 a may permit the barcode reader 10, 11 tobe an addressable endpoint of a wireless local area network and tocommunicate with a host computer 28 though a wireless LAN using, forexample, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) or thelike over a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) and/or an Ethernet network, or the like.

The wireless point-to-point interface(s) 108 b may be a Bluetooth®interface protocol (IEEE 802.15), Wi-Fi Direct, or a similarpoint-to-point protocol to enable the barcode reader 10, 11 to establisha wireless point-to-point connection link with, and communicate over thelink with, a host computer 28.

The wired point-to-point interface(s) 108 c may comprise a UniversalSerial Bus (USB), a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART),or other point-to-point communication interface to enable the barcodereader 10, 11 to establish a point-to-point connection with a hostcomputer 28 using the cable 20 with multiple data conductors.

Each of the foregoing may be coupled to a system package 146. The systempackage 146 may comprise a single package or multiple packages. Thesystem package 146 may include one or more silicon dies that include aprocessor 148, hardware circuits 150 for operating the componentsdiscussed above, and memory 152, which may be any combination ofnon-volatile memory or storage and volatile memory or storage. Thenon-volatile memory may include a combination of read-only memory (ROM)and/or flash memory.

The memory 152 may include a variety of modules that, when executed bythe processor 148 of the barcode reader 10, 11, enable the operation ofthe barcode reader 10, 11. Such modules may include, for example,kernel/drivers 160, an image capture module 162, an image buffer 170, adecoder module 180, an object detection system 181, an accessoryprotocol code 192, and/or an accessory authentication system 182. Thesemodules may be stored in any combination of volatile and non-volatilememories. Some modules may be stored in both volatile and non-volatilememories, for example, with permanent storage of the module in anon-volatile memory and a temporary copy stored in a volatile memory forexecution. In addition to or as an alternative to these modules, thememory 152 may store any number of other modules including, but notlimited to, those set forth in the patent applications incorporated byreference in this application.

The kernel/drivers 160 may include an operating system and/or anembedded kernel that drives the operation of the barcode reader 10, 11.Further, the kernel/drivers 160 may include drivers for operating thevarious hardware components of the barcode reader 10, 11.

The image capture module 162 may control the operation of theillumination system 130 and/or the imaging system 132 to capturetwo-dimensional images of objects with the barcode reader 10, 11. Thetwo-dimensional images may be stored in the image buffer 170. The imagecapture module 162 and/or other modules stored in the memory 152 maywork in conjunction with a direct memory access (DMA) controller 164 ofthe processor 148. The DMA controller 164 may store data representingeach image captured by the image capture module 162 in the memory 152 atan appropriate addressable storage space such that the processor 148 maysubsequently attempt to process and/or decode the image.

The image buffer 170 may store the images captured by the image capturemodule 162. The image buffer 170 may be in a random access memory (RAM)component (i.e., volatile memory component) of the memory 152.

The decoder module 180 may be used to undertake processing and decodingof an image of a barcode captured by the image capture module 162. Thedecoder module 180 may determine whether a symbol exists within theimage, identify the type of barcode present in the image, and decode thebarcode to extract the desired data (for example, barcode data).

The externally powered barcode reader 10, 11 may also include anauthentication system 182. The authentication system 182 may be storedin the memory 152 and may be executed by the processor 148.Alternatively, the authentication system 182 may be a separatecoprocessor (separate from the system package 146) implemented in aseparate silicon die and package, as shown in FIG. 2. Such anauthentication system 182 may include a processor 183 and memory storinga private encryption key 184 and an authentication process 186 forexecution by the processor 183. The authentication system 182 isconfigured to receive an authentication challenge from a host computer28 (e.g., a remote device), subject the authentication challenge to anauthentication algorithm to obtain an authentication response, and sendthe authentication response in response to the authentication challengeto the host computer 28. The authentication response identifies thebarcode reader 10, 11 as a trusted accessory to the host computer 28. Amore detailed discussion of the authentication system 182 and itsfunctions are included herein.

The accessory protocol code 192 may be stored in the memory 152 andexecuted by the processor 148. The accessory protocol code 192, whenexecuted by the processor 148, enables communication with an operatingsystem 36 of the host computer 28 and provision of the decoded data ofthe barcode image to an application 38 a, 38 b operating on the hostcomputer 28 using an accessory communication protocol. The accessoryprotocol code 192 may implement a communication protocol specific to thehost computer 28 when communicating with the host computer 28. A moredetailed discussion of the accessory protocol code 192 and its functionsare included herein.

The externally powered barcode reader 10, 11 may also include operatingpower management circuits 172 and a power/data interface 174. Thepower/data interface 174 may be a combined power and data connector witha power interface 174 a and a data interface 174 b. The power interface174 a is coupled to the operating power management circuits 172 and thedata interface 174 b is coupled to the applicable driver of the hardwarecircuits 150.

The operating power management circuits 172 receive, from an externalpower source 26 (in FIGS. 1A and 1B) through the power interface 174 aof the power/data interface 174, all (or substantially all) powerrequired for operating the barcode reader 10, 11 (i.e., powering eachelement represented in FIG. 2) as the power is used for powering thebarcode reader 10, 11. More specifically, because the barcode reader 10,11 does not include a battery for operation, the external power receivedby the operating power management circuits 172 may be used for operatingthe barcode reader 10, 11 (i.e., powering the systems shown in FIG. 2)at substantially the same time as it is received from the external powersource 26. The operating power management circuits 172 may include powerconversion circuitry to convert operating power received from anexternal power source 26 into multiple operating power levels andprovide an appropriate power level to different components of thebarcode reader 10, 11.

As described in FIGS. 1A and 1B, even though the externally poweredbarcode reader 10, 11 receives its operating power from an externalpower source 26 through a cable 20 and the power/data interface 174, theexternally powered barcode reader 10, 11 may utilize a wirelesscommunication link 40 for communicating decoded data to a host computer28.

In one embodiment, communication of decoded data obtained from an imageof a barcode with a host computer 28 requires that a barcode reader 10,11: i) authenticate itself to the host computer 28 as a trustedaccessory; and ii) communicate using a communication protocol that isoperable only after the barcode reader 10, 11 has authenticated to thehost computer 28 as a trusted accessory (i.e., after obtaining status ofa trusted accessory or device to the host computer 28). Morespecifically, at least one of the host computer 28 and the barcodereader 10, 11 may not communicate using the communication protocol untilmutual authentication of the barcode reader 10, 11 and the host computer28 as a trusted entity is successfully completed.

FIG. 3 is a ladder diagram representing an authentication procedure forauthenticating a barcode reader 10, 11 to a host computer 28 as atrusted accessory in accordance with one embodiment. The host computer28 and the authentication system 182 (or alternatively the processor148) of the barcode reader 10, 11 establish mutual authentication usingan authentication protocol. Any authentication protocol that iscurrently available or that will be developed in the future may be usedfor this purpose. An example authentication procedure will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, but itshould be noted that the procedure shown in FIG. 3 is provided as anexample, and any other authentication procedure may be performed toestablish a mutual authentication between the barcode reader 10, 11 andthe host computer 28. The host computer 28 sends a request for anaccessory identification at step 202. This request may be sent when acommunication link is first established between the barcode reader 10,11 and the host computer 28, which may be at: i) a connection of thepoint-to-point interface cable (e.g., a UART, USB, or similarconnection); ii) a formation of a wireless point-to-point link (e.g., aformation of a Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15), Wi-Fi Direct, or a similarlink); iii) a formation of a TCP/IP connection over a Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11) and/or Ethernet or other IP enabled network; or iv) a similarinitial connection.

In response to the request, the processor 148 of the barcode reader 10,11 may query the authentication system 182 for an accessory identifierat step 204. The accessory identifier may be generated by theauthentication system 182 and/or may be a digital certificate.

The authentication system 182 may then return the accessory identifierto the processor 148 of the barcode reader 10, 11 at step 206.Communication between the processor 148 and the authentication system182 (which may be a coprocessor) may be performed by way ofInter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) communication over an internal bus.

The processor 148 of the barcode reader 10, 11 may then return theaccessory identifier to the host computer 28 over a communication link(e.g., a hardwired or wireless link such as the wireless communicationlink 40) at step 208.

After validating the accessory identifier, the host computer 28 may sendan identification challenge to the processor 148 of the barcode reader10, 11 over the communication link (e.g., a hardwired or wireless linksuch as the wireless communication link 40) at step 210. Theidentification challenge may be a random number encrypted with a publicencryption key of the digital certificate.

The processor 148 may then present the authentication challenge to theauthentication system 182 via an internal bus at step 212.

The authentication system 182 may then generate and return anauthentication challenge response to the processor 148 via the internalbus at step 214. Step 214 may include decrypting the authenticationchallenge using its private encryption key 184 and an authenticationprocess 186 (e.g., a predetermined encryption/decryption algorithm) torecover the random number and return the random number to the hostcomputer 28. The authentication challenge response may be encryptedusing the public key of the host private/public key pair.

The processor 148 may then provide the authentication challenge responseto the host computer 28 via the communication link (e.g., a hardwired orwireless link such as the wireless communication link 40) at step 216.

The host computer 28 may then determine at step 218 whether the barcodereader 10, 11 is a trusted accessory based on the authenticationchallenge response (i.e., whether the random number returned by thebarcode reader 10, 11 matches the original random number provided by thehost computer 28).

If the barcode reader 10, 11 has properly authenticated as a trustedaccessory, the host computer 28 may authorize communication with thebarcode reader 10, 11 over the communication link (e.g., a hardwired orwireless link such as the wireless communication link 40) at step 220.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict example packet formats for communication betweena barcode reader 10, 11 and a host computer 28. The barcode reader 10,11 and the host computer 28 may exchange data packets 312 d and controlpackets 312 c over a communication link (e.g., a hardwired or wirelesslink such as the wireless communication link 40) in accordance with acommunication protocol. The communication of packets may followauthentication between the barcode reader 10, 11 and the host computer28 as a trusted accessory. The communication protocol (i.e., theaccessory protocol code) used between the barcode reader 10, 11 and thehost computer 28 may be a non-proprietary communication protocol or aproprietary communication protocol (such as the iPod® Accessory Protocol(iAP or iAP2) or the like). When communicating using a communicationprotocol (either proprietary or non-proprietary), the decoded image datamay be encapsulated in a data frame. For example, the encapsulation ofthe decoded image data in a data frame may be in conformity with iAP oriAP2.

The communication protocol implemented between the processor 148 of thebarcode reader 10, 11 and the processor 34 of the host computer 28define a packet format for control packets 312 c and data packets 312 d.A packet 312 c, 312 d may include a header 310 c, 310 d and data 318 c,318 d. The header 310 c, 310 d may include a control/data designation314 c, 314 d, which identifies whether the packet is a control packet312 c or a data packet 312 d. The header 310 d of a data packet 312 dmay also include a specification ID 316, which is a unique identifierthat is assigned to the barcode reader 10, 11 and that identifies thetype of specifications of data 318 d included in the packet 312 d (i.e.,the specifications to which the data 318 d will conform).

If the control/data designation 314 c, 314 d of a packet provided by thebarcode reader 10, 11 to the host computer 28 indicates that the packetis a control packet (control/data designation 314 c), the packet isdelivered to the operating system 36 of the host computer 28. If thecontrol/data designation 314 c, 314 d of a packet provided by thebarcode reader 10, 11 to the host computer 28 indicates that the packetis a data packet (control/data designation 314 d), the specification ID316 identifies the type of specifications of data 318 d included in thepacket 312 d (i.e., the specifications to which the data 318 d willconform), and the host computer 28 (more specifically, the operatingsystem 36 of the host computer 28) delivers the data packet 312 d to anapplication 38 a or 38 b operating on the host computer 28 based onpredefined criteria. The predefined criteria may be that the application38 a, 38 b running on the processor 34 of the host computer 28 isidentified as an application designated to accept data packets with theassigned specification ID 316 and is capable of processing the data 318d conforming with the specifications associated with the assignedspecification ID 316.

If the proprietary communication protocol is iAP2, the specification ID316 is assigned by Apple to the model of the barcode reader 10, 11 whenthe barcode reader is certified as a made-for-iPhone, -iPod, -iPad, orsimilar devices and the specification to which data 318 d is provided bythe model of the barcode reader 10, 11 conform.

The same applies to the packets transmitted from the host computer 28 tothe barcode reader 10, 11. When a packet 312 c, 312 d is communicatedfrom the host computer 28 to the barcode reader 10, 11 over the wirelesscommunication link 40, control packets 312 c may be used by theaccessory protocol code 192 and data packets 312 d may be used by otherportions of the software or firmware in the barcode reader 10, 11. Forexample, the applications 38 a, 38 b running on the host computer 28 maysend configuration commands to the barcode reader 10, 11. From theperspective of the accessory protocol code, those commands are justdata, and other portions of the barcode reader 10, 11 that use that datamay recognize it as configuration commands.

FIG. 5 depicts an example power/data cable accessory 400 in accordancewith one embodiment. The power/data cable accessory 400 (i.e., anaccessory for a barcode reader 402) may be used for operation with anybarcode reader 402 (i.e., an externally powered or battery poweredbarcode reader, or a barcode reader with or without wirelessconnectivity). The power/data cable accessory 400 may be used to connecta barcode reader 402 and a host computer 28 as a trusted accessory tothe host computer 28, for example, to provide decoded data to the hostcomputer 28 and/or to connect the barcode reader 402 to a power source.

The power/data cable accessory 400 may include a first power/dataconnector 404, a second power/data connector 430, an interface system410, a first cable 406, and a second cable 432. The first power/dataconnector 404 connects to the barcode reader 402 and the secondpower/data connector 430 connects to a power source or a host computer28 (which may also be a power source).

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment wherein the interface system 410 isincluded between the connectors 404, 430, with the cable 406 couplingthe interface system 410 to the first power/data connector 404 and thecable 432 coupling the interface system 410 to the second power/dataconnector 430. This arrangement is also depicted in FIG. 6C.

Alternatively, the interface system 410 may be included in either one ofthe power/data connectors 404 or 430 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Inthis case, the power/data cable accessory 400 may include a single cable405 connecting the power/data connectors 404, 430.

Each cable of the power/data cable accessory 400 (cables 406, 432, 405)may include multiple conductors, for example four conductors asdescribed in FIG. 1C. For example, the power/data connectors 404, 430may each be a standard USB connector that supports both a powerinterface and a serial data interface over a combination of fourconductors. As such, the first power/data connector 404 in combinationwith the four-conductor cable 406 (or 405) may provide power to thebarcode reader 402 and interfacing serial data between the barcodereader 402 and the interface system 410 of the power/data cableaccessory 400.

The second power/data connector 430 in combination with thefour-conductor cable 432 may provide power to the interface system 410when the power/data connector 430 is connected to a power source thatprovides USB compliant power, such as a computer USB port, or atransformer providing USB compliant power when plugged into a standardAC power source (e.g., a wall outlet). The transformer may be separatefrom the second connector 430 or may be an integral part of the secondconnector 430.

The second power/data connector 430 in combination with thefour-conductor cable 432 may further, when the power/data connector 430is coupled to a host computer 28, provide serial communications with thehost computer 28 as described herein.

The interface system 410 (i.e., a relay communication system) includes afirst power data interface 412 for interfacing with the barcode reader402 via the first power/data connector 404 (and cable 405 in theembodiment of FIG. 6A and cable 406 in the embodiment of FIG. 6C), and asecond power data interface 428 for interfacing with a power source or ahost computer 28 via the second connector 430 (and cable 405 in theembodiment of FIG. 6B and cable 432 in the embodiment of FIG. 6C). Inone embodiment, the power data interfaces 412, 428 may be USB interfacesand the cables 406, 432, 405 may be USB cables.

The interface system 410 may also include power interface circuits 414,wireless interface 416 (RF circuits), a processor 420, and memory 423,which may include: i) a point-to-point interface driver 422, ii) an RFcircuit driver 424, iii) accessory protocol code 426, and/or iv) relaycode 427. The memory 423 may be any combination of non-volatile memoryor storage and volatile memory or storage. The non-volatile memory mayinclude a combination of read-only memory (ROM) and/or flash memory. Thememory 423 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Each of the above components may be implemented in one or more silicondies and with one or more silicon dies implemented in one or more chippackages.

The power interface circuits 414 receive power from the second powerdata interface 428, which is coupled to a power source via the secondconnector 430. The power interface circuits 414 draw operating powerfrom the power source for both: i) providing operating power to thecomponents of the interface system 410; and ii) providing operatingpower to the barcode reader 402 through the first power data interface412 and the first connector 404.

For example, the power interface circuits 414 may receive operatingpower compliant with the USB specification (i.e. 5V, at least 500 mA)and: i) convert a portion of that power to the applicable power levels(appropriate voltage and minimum amperage) required for each componentof the interface system 410; and ii) provide a portion of the power tothe first power data interface 412 in accordance with the USBspecification (i.e. 5 V, at least 500 mA) as operating power to beprovided to the barcode reader 402 via the connector 404. Because thepower interface circuits 414 may also draw power for the interfacesystem 410 from the power source and provide a portion of the powerdrawn from the power source as the operating power to the interfacesystem 410, the portion of the power drawn from the power source that isavailable for provision to the barcode reader 402 is less than 100% bythe amount of power required for operation of the interface system 410.

In an alternative embodiment, the power specification for the powerdrawn by the second power data interface 428 from the power source andthe power provided to the barcode reader 402 via the first power datainterface 412 may not be the same power specification. For example, thepower drawn by the second power data interface 428 may comply with theUSB specification (5V, at least 500 mA) while the power provided to thebarcode reader 402 via the first power data interface 412 may be of adifferent voltage and an applicable minimum amperage. In such anembodiment, the power interface circuits 414 further convert power drawnfrom the power source to the applicable power specification forproviding operating power to the barcode reader 402.

The power source may be the host computer 28 or a standard AC powersource (e.g., a wall outlet) combined with a transformer such that thepower interface circuits 414 may draw the operating power for thebarcode reader 402 and the interface system from the host computer 28 orthe standard AC power source.

The first power data interface 412 in combination with the processor 420executing the point-to-point interface driver 422 may comprise aUniversal Serial Bus (USB), a Universal AsynchronousReceiver/Transmitter (UART), or other point-to-point communicationinterface to enable the interface system 410 to establish apoint-to-point connection with the barcode reader 402 via the connector404 and, when applicable, operate as a master (for example, as a USBmaster if the point-to-point protocol is a USB) for communication withthe barcode reader 402 operating as a slave (for example, as a USB slaveif the point-to-point protocol is USB).

In operation, the interface system 410 (which may be a USB host)interfaces with the barcode reader 402 in the same way the barcodereader 10 would interface with a host computer 28. The interface system410 provides operating power to the barcode reader 402 through the firstconnector 404 and receives decoded data of an image of a barcode fromthe barcode reader 10 through the first connector 404.

In exemplary embodiments the interface system 410 may interface with ahost computer (such as host computer 28) via: i) the second power datainterface 428 and the connector 430 being coupled to the host computer28; or ii) a wireless communication link 40 between the wirelessinterface 416 of the interface system 410 and the wireless interface 32of the host computer 28.

In an embodiment where the interface system interfaces with the hostcomputer 28 via the second power data interface 428 and the connector430 being coupled to the host computer 28, the second power datainterface 428 in combination with the processor 420 executing thepoint-to-point interface driver 422 may comprise a Universal Serial Bus(USB), a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART), or otherpoint-to-point communication interface to enable the interface system410 to establish a point-to-point connection with the host computer 28via the connector 430 and, when applicable, operate as a master or slave(for example, as a USB master or USB slave if the point-to-pointprotocol is USB) for communication with the host computer operating inthe opposite role (for example: i) as a USB slave if the point-to-pointprotocol is USB and the interface system 410 is operating as a USBmaster; or ii) as a USB master if the point-to-point protocol is USB andthe interface system 410 is operating as a USB slave).

When the interface system 410 operates as a USB slave, it may emulate abarcode reader and interface with the host computer 28 in the same way abarcode reader 10 (with appropriate authentication) would interface withthe host computer 28.

In an embodiment where the interface system 410 interfaces with the hostcomputer 28 via a wireless communication link 40 between the wirelessinterface 416 of the interface system 410 and the wireless interface 32of the host computer 28, each may operate a wireless communicationprotocol (e.g. Bluetooth®, IEEE 802.11, or any other wirelesscommunication protocol, to: i) establish a communication link betweenthe wireless interface 416 of the interface system 410 and thecorresponding wireless interface 32 of the host computer 28; and ii)enable application level communication between the interface system 410and the host computer 28. In one embodiment, the application levelcommunication may be, for example, by way of USB framing or otheremulation.

To support such wireless communications, the wireless interface 416 (incombination with the processor 420 executing the RF circuit driver 424)may be: i) a wireless point-to-point transceiver such as Bluetooth®(IEEE 802.15), Wi-Fi direct, or a similar point-to-point protocol which,when operated in conjunction with the processor 420 executing the RFcircuit driver 424, enables the accessory 400 to establish a wirelesscommunication link 40 (e.g., a wireless point-to-point communicationlink) with, and communicate over the link with, a host computer; and/orii) a wireless LAN transceiver such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.22) or similar,which, when operated in conjunction with the processor 420 executing theRF circuit driver 424, enables the accessory 400 to be an addressableendpoint on a wireless local area network and to communicate with a hostcomputer through a wireless LAN using, as an example, TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connections or the like overa Wi-Fi or similar network. The RF circuit driver 424 is the code foroperating the wireless interface 416.

Embodiments of operation for establishing the wireless communicationlink 40 between the accessory 400 and the host computer 28 are describedin more detail with respect to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11.

The interface system 410 may further include an authentication system418 which may be similar to the authentication system 182 described inFIG. 2 and which may be used to authenticate and implement a proprietarycommunication protocol for communications between the host computer 28and the interface system 410 through the hardwired interface (e.g. thesecond power data interface 428 and the connector 430 coupled to thehost computer 28) or the wireless communication link 40. The proprietarycommunication protocol may be the iPod® Accessory Protocol (iAP oriAP2).

The authentication system 418 may be stored in the memory 423 andexecuted by the processor 420. Alternatively, the authentication system418 may be a separate coprocessor (implemented on a separate silicon dieand/or chip package from the processor 420 and the memory 423) as shownin FIG. 5.

The authentication system 418 may include a processor 183 and memorystoring a private encryption key 184 and an authentication process 186for execution by the processor 183. The authentication system 418 isconfigured to receive an authentication challenge from a host computer28 (e.g., a remote device), subject the authentication challenge to anauthentication algorithm to obtain an authentication response, and sendthe authentication response in response to the authentication challengeto the host computer 28. The authentication response identifies theinterface system 410 of the accessory 400 as a trusted accessory to thehost computer 28, all as described in more detail with respect to FIG.3.

The accessory protocol code 426, which is similar to accessory protocolcode 192, may be stored in the memory 423 and executed by the processor420. The accessory protocol code 426, when executed by the processor420, enables communication with an operating system 36 of the hostcomputer 28 and provision of the decoded data received from the barcodereader 402 (without using the proprietary accessory protocol or using adifferent accessory protocol) to an application 38 a, 38 b operating onthe host computer 28 using an accessory communication protocol. Theaccessory protocol code 426 may implement a communication protocolspecific to the host computer 28 when communicating with the hostcomputer 28.

In one embodiment, communication between the power/data cable accessory400 and a host computer 28 (e.g., communication of decoded data from animage of a barcode received from a barcode reader to a host computer)may be performed only after the power/data cable accessory 400authenticates itself to the host computer 28 as a trusted accessory.More specifically, at least one of the host computer 28 and thepower/data cable accessory 400 may not communicate using thecommunication protocol until mutual authentication of the power/datacable accessory 400 and the host computer 28 as a trusted entity issuccessfully completed.

The accessory protocol code 426 may implement a communication protocolspecific to the host computer when communicating with the host device.For example, in the case of Apple's iOS mobile operating system, theaccessory protocol code 426 may be a code for implementing iAP or iAP2after the power/data cable accessory 400 has successfully authenticateditself as a trusted accessory to the host device.

The relay code 427, when operated by the processor 420, sends decodeddata of an image of a barcode received from the barcode reader 402 to ahost device, such as a host computer 28.

Turning briefly to FIG. 8, exemplary operation of the interface system410 and its interaction with a host computer 28 and a barcode reader 402are represented. Step 802 represents authentication of the interfacesystem 410 of the power/data cable accessory 400 to the host computer 28as a trusted accessory utilizing the steps as described with respect toFIG. 3.

After authentication the power/data cable accessory 400 is capable ofrelaying decoded data from the barcode reader 402 to the host computer28 and may notify the operator of this ready state.

In a first embodiment of notifying the user of the ready state: i) theinterface system 410 may send a message to the barcode reader 402 (viathe first power data interface 412 and the connector 404) confirmingcompletion of authentication as represented by step 803; and ii) thebarcode reader 402 may generate a signal (for example illumination of anindicator light or activation of a vibration motor) to notify the userof authentication as represented by step 804 a.

In a second embodiment of notifying the user of the ready state theinterface system 410 may itself generate a signal (for exampleillumination of an indicator light or activation of a vibration motorwithin a housing portion of the power/data cable accessory 400) tonotify the user of authentication as represented by step 804 b.

Thereafter, the interface system 410 of the power/data cable accessory400 may communicate with the host computer 28, utilizing the protocolpreviously described. In more detail, step 805 represents the barcodereader 402 providing decoded data to the interface system 410. Asdiscussed, the interface system 410 may function as a USB host, thebarcode reader 402 may function as a USB slave, and the decoded data maybe provided as either keyboard data if the USB interface is logicallyconfigured as a unidirectional keyboard interface or may otherwise berecognized as decoded data if the USB interface is logically configuredas a bidirectional communication interface.

Step 806 represents the relay code 427 packaging the decoded data as acustom data packet as previously described. This may include, asdescribed with respect to FIG. 4B, formatting and/or supplementing thedecoded data so that it conforms to the specification ID 316 and addinga header to the data which includes identification of the packet as acustom data packet and the specification ID 316. Step 808 representstransmission of the custom data packet to the host computer 28.

In another aspect of operation, step 810 represents the host computer 28and the interface system 410 exchanging control packets as describedwith respect to FIG. 4A.

In yet another aspect of operation, a control or configurationapplication operating on the host computer 28 may generate configurationcontrol commands for the barcode reader 402, as represented by step 812.

Step 814 represents the host computer 28 packaging the control orconfiguration commands as custom data packets as previously described.This may include, as described with respect to FIG. 4B, formattingand/or supplementing the control or configuration commands so that theyconform to the specification ID 316 and adding a header to the datawhich includes identification of the packet as a custom data packet andthe specification ID 316. Even though a configuration or control commandmay be a control command to the barcode reader 402, it is data forpurposes of the protocol communications between the interface system 410and the host computer 28. Step 816 represents transmission of the customdata packet to the interface system 410.

Step 818 represents the relay code 427 un-packaging the control orconfiguration commands and step 820 represents provision of the controlor configuration commands to the barcode reader 402 over a bidirectionalinterface.

FIG. 7A shows a barcode reader 402 coupled to a battery pack accessory720. The barcode reader 402 is a traditional externally powered barcodewith a power/data interface 174 for coupling to a power data connectorsuch as a connector 404 of an accessory 400.

FIG. 7B depicts an example battery pack accessory 720 in accordance withone embodiment. The battery pack accessory 720 may be used for operationwith any barcode reader 710 (an externally powered or battery poweredbarcode reader, or a barcode reader with or without wirelessconnectivity). The battery pack accessory 720 may: i) provide operatingpower to the barcode reader 710; and ii) be used to connect the barcodereader 710 with a host computer 28 as a trusted accessory to the hostcomputer 28, for example, to provide decoded data to the host computer28 and/or to provide operating power to the barcode reader 402.

The battery pack accessory 720 may include a power/data connector 404for connecting to the barcode reader 402, an interface system 410, and apower source such as a rechargeable battery 721. The battery packaccessory 720 may further include an additional mechanical coupling (notshown) for securing the battery pack accessory 720 to the barcode reader402 in a manner in which the power/data connector 404 remains securelyattached to the barcode reader 402 without exceeding mechanical stresslimits of the connector 404 or the mating connector on the barcodereader 402.

The power/data connector 404 may be a standard USB connector thatsupports both a power interface and a serial data interface with thebarcode reader 402 over a combination of four conductors. As such, thepower/data connector 404 may provide power to the barcode reader 402 andinterface serial data between the barcode reader 402 and the interfacesystem 410 of the battery pack accessory 720. Further, the power/dataconnector 404 may provide a coupling to a remote charger for providingpower to charge the battery 721 when the power/data connector 404 is notcoupled to the barcode reader 402. In the alternative the battery packaccessory 720 may include a separate connector or conductive contactsfor coupling to charging power.

The interface system 410 (i.e., a relay communication system) includes apower data interface 412 for interfacing with the barcode reader 402 viathe power/data connector 404. In one embodiment, the power datainterface 412 may be a USB interface.

The interface system 410 may also include power interface circuits 414,wireless interface 416, a processor 420, and memory 423 which mayinclude: i) a point-to-point interface driver 422, ii) an RF circuitdriver 424, iii) accessory protocol code 426, and/or iv) relay code 427.The memory 423 may be any combination of non-volatile memory or storageand volatile memory or storage. The non-volatile memory may include acombination of read-only memory (ROM) and/or flash memory. Each of theabove components may be implemented in one or more silicon dies and withone or more silicon dies implemented in one or more chip packages.

The power interface circuits 414 receive charging power from the powerdata interface 412 which is coupled to a charging power source via thesecond connector 404 or alternative conductive contacts. The powerinterface circuits 414 convert the charging power to a powerspecification applicable for charging the battery 721.

The power interface circuits 414 further receive operating power fromthe battery 721 and: i) convert a portion of that power to theapplicable power levels (appropriate voltage and minimum amperage)required for each component of the interface system 410; and ii) providea portion of the power to the power data interface 412 in accordancewith the USB specification (i.e. 5 V, at least 500 mA) as operatingpower to be provided to the barcode reader 402 via connector 404.Because the power interface circuits 414 may also draw power for theinterface system 410 from the battery 721 and provide a portion of thepower drawn from the battery 721 as the operating power to the interfacesystem 410, the portion of the power drawn from the battery 721 that isavailable for provision to the barcode reader 402 is less than 100% bythe amount of power required for operation of the interface system 410.

In an alternative embodiment, the power specification for the powerdrawn by from the battery 721 and the power provided to the barcodereader 402 via the power data interface 412 may not be the same powerspecification. In such an embodiment, the power interface circuits 414further convert power drawn from the battery 721 to the applicable powerspecification for providing operating power to the barcode reader 402.

The power data interface 412 in combination with the processor 420executing the point-to-point interface driver 422 may comprise aUniversal Serial Bus (USB), Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter(UART), or other point-to-point communication interface to enable theinterface system 410 to establish a point-to-point connection with thebarcode reader 402 via the connector 404 and, when applicable, operateas a master (for example, as a USB Master if the point-to-point protocolis USB) for communication with the barcode reader 402 operating as aslave, (for example, as a USB slave if the point-to-point protocol isUSB).

In operation, the interface system 410 (which may be a USB host)interfaces with the barcode reader 402 in the same way the barcodereader 10 would interface with a host computer 28. The interface system410 provides operating power to the barcode reader 10 through theconnector 404 and receives decoded data of an image of a barcode fromthe barcode reader 10 through the first connector 404.

In exemplary embodiments the interface system 410 may interface with ahost computer (such as host computer 28) via a wireless communicationlink 40 between the wireless interface 416 of the interface system 410and wireless interface 32 of the host computer 28. The wirelessinterface 416 of the interface system 410 and wireless interface 32 ofthe host computer 28 each may operate a wireless communication protocol(e.g. Bluetooth®, IEEE 802.11, or any other wireless communicationprotocol to: i) establish a communication link between the wirelessinterface 416 of the interface system 410 and the corresponding wirelessinterface 32 of the host computer 28; and ii) enable application levelcommunication between the interface system 410 and the host computer 28.In one embodiment, the application level communication may be, forexample, by way of USB framing or other emulation.

To support such wireless communications, the wireless interface 416 (incombination with the processor 420 executing RF circuit driver 424), maybe: i) a wireless point-to-point transceiver such as Bluetooth® (IEEE802.15), Wi-Fi direct, or a similar point-to-point protocol which, whenoperated in conjunction with the processor 420 executing the RF circuitdriver 424 enables the accessory 400 to establish a wirelesscommunication link 40 (e.g., a wireless point-to-point communicationlink) with, and communicate over the link with, a host computer; and/orii) a wireless LAN transceiver such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) or similarwhich, when operated in conjunction with the processor 420 executing theRF circuit driver 424 enables the accessory 400 to be an addressableendpoint on a wireless local area network and to communicate with a hostcomputer through a wireless LAN using, as an example, TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connections or the like overa Wi-Fi. The RF circuit driver 424 is the code for operating thewireless interface 416.

Embodiments of operation for establishing the wireless communicationlink 40 between the accessory 400 and the host computer 28 is describedin more detail with respect to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11.

The interface system 410 may further include an authentication system418, which may be similar to the authentication system 182 described inFIG. 2 and the authentication system 418 described in FIG. 5. Theinterface system 410 may be used to authenticate and implement aproprietary communication protocol for communications between the hostcomputer 28 and the interface system 410 through the hardwired interface(e.g. the second power data interface 428 and the connector 430 coupledto the host computer 28) or the wireless communication link 40. Theproprietary communication protocol may be the iPod® Accessory Protocol(iAP or iAP2).

The authentication system 418 may be stored in the memory 423 andexecuted by the processor 420. Alternatively, the authentication system418 may be a separate coprocessor (implemented on a separate silicon dieand/or chip package from the processor 420 and memory 423) as shown inFIG. 7B.

The authentication system 418 may include a processor 183 and memorystoring a private encryption key 184 and an authentication process 186for execution by the processor 183. The authentication system 418 isconfigured to receive an authentication challenge from a host computer28 (e.g., a remote device), subject the authentication challenge to anauthentication algorithm to obtain an authentication response, and sendthe authentication response in response to the authentication challengeto the host computer 28. The authentication response identifies theinterface system 410 of the accessory 400 as a trusted accessory to thehost computer, all as described in more detail with respect to FIG. 3.

The accessory protocol code 426, which is similar to accessory protocolcode 192, may be stored in the memory 423 and executed by the processor420. The accessory protocol code 426, when executed by the processor420, enables communication with an operating system 36 of the hostcomputer 28 and provision of the decoded data received from the barcodereader 10 (without using the proprietary accessory protocol or using adifferent accessory protocol) to an application 38 a, 38 b operating onthe host computer 28 using an accessory communication protocol. Theaccessory protocol code 426 may implement a communication protocolspecific to the host computer 28 when communicating with the hostcomputer 28.

In one embodiment, communication between the battery pack accessory 720and the host computer 28 (e.g., communication of decoded data from animage of a barcode received from a barcode reader to a host computer)may be performed only after the battery pack accessory 720 authenticatesitself to the host computer 28 as a trusted accessory. Morespecifically, at least one of the host computer 28 and the battery packaccessory 720 may not communicate using the communication protocol untilmutual authentication of the battery pack accessory 720 and the hostcomputer 28 as a trusted entity is successfully completed.

The accessory protocol code 426 may implement a communication protocolspecific to the host computer when communicating with the host device.For example, in the case of iOS, the accessory protocol code 426 may bea code for implementing iAP or iAP2 after the battery pack accessory 720has successfully authenticated itself as a trusted accessory to the hostdevice.

The relay code 427, when operated by the processor 420, sends decodeddata of an image of a barcode received from the barcode reader 10 to ahost device, such as a host computer 28. The relay code 427 includesoperation as described with respect to FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 depicts a first embodiment of operation of the interface system410 of the power/data cable accessory 400 or the battery pack accessory720 to establish a wireless communication link 40 with a host computer28. This embodiment may include a Wi-Fi communication link, apoint-to-point communication link such as Bluetooth®, or a similar link.

Step 902 represents rendering connection and/or pairing informationassociated with the host computer 28. In one embodiment the renderingmay include, displaying on a display screen of the host, an electronicrepresentation of a barcode (1D or 2D) that includes the connectionand/or pairing information. In another embodiment the rendering mayinclude, displaying on a display screen of the host, in an alternativeformat other than a barcode, the connection and/or pairing information,for example printed characters. In another embodiment the rendering mayinclude, displaying on the display screen of the host, a barcode or analternative rendering of a location indicator, such as a URL or adatabase record indicator, at, or through, which connection and/orpairing information may be obtained. In another embodiment, therendering may include printing, or otherwise making availableelectronically or in hard copy, the connection and/or pairinginformation, or a location indicator at, or through, which connectionand/or pairing information may be obtained, whether in barcode format,alternative visual format (such as printed characters), audio format, aformat of modulated illumination, and/or a format of modulatedelectromagnetic radiation.

The connection and/or pairing information may be a URL or IPaddress/port number associated with the host computer 28, anidentification number or other identifying code necessary or useful foridentifying the host computer 28 and/or establishing a link, orencrypting or otherwise securing a link, between the interface system410 and the host computer (for example a Bluetooth® PIN).

Step 904 represents the barcode reader 402 obtaining the renderedconnection and/or pairing information for example by reading a barcodedisplayed on, or associated with the host computer 28. In otherembodiments the barcode reader may obtain the rendered connection and/orpairing information by other means compatibly with the technology usedfor rendering the connection and/or pairing information.

Step 910 represents the barcode reader 402 recognizing that it hasobtained connection and/or pairing information. In embodiments where theconnection and/or pairing information is rendered as a barcode, it isuseful for the barcode reader 402 to be able to distinguish between abarcode that contains connection and/or pairing information and abarcode that includes data which is to be read and processed in theordinary course of use of the barcode reader 402.

In one embodiment, recognition may be based on a signal from theinterface system 410. For example, if the interface system is notconnected or paired with a host computer 28 it may provide a signal tothe barcode reader 402 indicating that it is not connected or paired anddata from a subsequent barcode read may therefore be recognized asconnection and/or pairing information at step 910. To furtherfacilitate, upon receipt of the signal from the interface system 410 thebarcode reader may go into a “connection mode” wherein a signal isprovided to the operator (e.g., an indicator light on the housing or avibration indicator) indicating to the operator that the operator is touse the barcode reader 402 to read the connection and/or pairinginformation.

In another embodiment, recognition may be based on the format of thebarcode and/or control information within the barcode. For example, theconnection and/or pairing information may be in a barcode format that isused exclusively for connection and/or pairing information. In anotherexample, the connection and/or pairing information may be preceded by acharacter string or other indicator that is an exclusive indicator forconnection and/or pairing information (or that identifies the type ofconnection and/or pairing to be performed) and is therefore recognizedas connection and/or pairing information by the barcode reader 402.

Step 912 represents transferring the connection and/or pairinginformation to the interface system 410.

Step 914 represents an alternative to steps 904, 910 and 912. In certainembodiments wherein the rendering of the connection and/or pairinginformation is in a rendering format other than a barcode (for exampleaudio, modulated illumination, or modulated electromagnetic radiation)the interface system 410 itself may obtain the connection and/or pairinginformation. For example, if the connection information is rendered bythe host computer 28 as near field communication (i.e. modulation ofelectromagnetic radiation) the interface system 410 may contain acompatible near field communication system and obtain the connectionand/or pairing information using near field communication.

Whether the connection and/or pairing information is obtained from thebarcode reader 402, directly by the interface system 410, or throughother means, the interface system 410 forms a connection with the hostcomputer 28 at step 916. In an embodiment where the connection and/orpairing information is a URL or IP Address/port number, step 916 mayrepresent forming a TCP/IP connection to the specified URL or IPaddress/port number via a Wi-Fi network. In an embodiment where thewireless communication link 40 is Bluetooth® and connection and/orpairing information may include any of identification of the hostcomputer 28, a PIN number associated with the host computer 28 forforming a link-key with the host computer utilizing Bluetooth® 2.0,other information for forming a more advanced Bluetooth® connectionand/or other information. In which case, step 916 represents Bluetooth®pairing to pair the devices (the interface system 410 with the hostcomputer 28), establishing a link key, and/or otherwise establishing awireless communication link 40.

Step 917 represents confirmation that the wireless communication link 40has been established. Upon confirmation that the wireless communicationlink 40 is established, the interface system 410 may provide aconfirmation that the wireless communication link 40 has beenestablished to the barcode reader 402 at step 918 and the barcode reader402 may signal that the wireless communication link 40 has beenestablished (and the barcode reader 402 is ready for operation with thehost computer 28) at step 920 a.

Alternatively, the interface system 410 itself may signal that thewireless communication link 40 has been established (and the barcodereader 402 is ready for operation with the host computer 28) at step 920b. In either case, signaling may include illumination/modulation of anindicator light or activation of a vibration motor in a predeterminedmodulation pattern.

Following confirmation of the communication link the interface system410 and the host computer 28 may complete the authentication process, ifrequired, as described in FIG. 3 and represented by step 802.

FIG. 10 illustrates another process 1000 for pairing an electronicdevice, such as the interface system 410, to a host computer 28 (i.e.establishing a wireless communication link 40). In this process 1000,pairing between the interface system 410 and the host computer 28 isbeing performed in accordance with Bluetooth® v2.1 (or later), and thenumeric comparison association model is being used.

The Bluetooth® v2.1 (or later) specification defines five phases forsecure simple pairing (SSP): public key exchange, authentication stageone, authentication stage two, link key calculation, and link managerprotocol (LMP) authentication and encryption.

During public key exchange 1006, the interface system 410 may generate1010 an ECDH public-private key pair (PKa and SKa, respectively). Thehost computer 28 may also generate 1012 an ECDH public-private key pair(PKb and SKb, respectively). The interface system 410 may send 1014 itspublic key (PKa) to the host computer 28. The host computer 28 may send1016 its public key (PKb) to the interface system 410.

During authentication stage one 1008, the interface system 410 and thehost computer 28 may both select 1018, 1020 a pseudo-random nonce (Naand Nb, respectively). The host computer 28 may compute 1022 acommitment value (Cb), which may depend on PKb, PKa, and Nb. The hostcomputer 28 may send 1024 the commitment value (Cb) to the interfacesystem 410. The interface system 410 may send 1026 its pseudo-randomnonce (Na) to the host computer 28. The host computer 28 may send 1028its pseudo-random nonce (Nb) to the interface system 410.

The interface system 410 may compute 1030 a confirmation commitmentvalue (Cb′), using the same function that the host computer 28 used tocompute 1022 the commitment value (Cb). The interface system 410 maydetermine 1032 whether the confirmation commitment value (Cb′) equalsthe commitment value (Cb) received from the host computer 28. If itdoes, the pairing procedure may proceed. If not, the pairing proceduremay be aborted.

The interface system 410 may calculate 1034 a first confirmation value(Va). The host computer 28 may calculate 1036 a second confirmationvalue (Vb). Both the first confirmation value (Va) and the secondconfirmation value (Vb) may depend on PKa, PKb, Na and Nb.

The host computer 28 may generate 1038 and render 1040 pairinginformation which includes the second confirmation value (Vb). Thepairing information may be rendered in any of the ways the connectionand/or pairing information could be rendered as described with respectto step 902 (FIG. 9).

Step 1041 represents the barcode reader 402 obtaining the pairinginformation for example by reading a barcode displayed on, or associatedwith, the host computer 28. In other embodiments the barcode reader mayobtain the pairing information by other means compatibly with thetechnology used for rendering the pairing information (step 1040).

Step 1042 represents the barcode reader 402 recognizing that it hasobtained pairing information. As discussed, in embodiments where thepairing information is rendered as a barcode, it is useful for thebarcode reader 402 to be able to distinguish between a barcode thatcontains pairing information and a barcode that includes data which isto be read and processed in the ordinary course of use of the barcodereader 402.

In one embodiment, recognition may be based on a signal from theinterface system 410. For example, if the interface system 410 is notconnected or paired with a host computer 28 it may provide a signal tothe barcode reader 402 indicating that it is not connected or paired anddata from a subsequent barcode read may therefore be recognized aspairing information at step 910. To further facilitate, upon receipt ofthe signal from the interface system 410 the barcode reader may go intoa “connection mode” wherein a signal is provided to the operator (i.e.,modulation of an indicator light on the housing or a vibrationindicator) indicating to the operator that the operator is to use thebarcode reader 402 to read connection and/or pairing information.

In another embodiment, recognition may be based on the format of thebarcode and/or control information within the barcode. For example theconnection and/or pairing information may be in a barcode format that isused exclusively for connection and/or pairing information. In anotherexample, the connection and/or pairing information may be preceded by acharacter string or other indicator that is an exclusive indicator forconnection and/or pairing information (or identifies the type ofconnection and/or pairing to be performed) and is therefore recognizedas connection and/or pairing information by the barcode reader 402.

Step 1044 represents transferring the pairing information to theinterface system 410. Step 1044 represents an alternative to steps 1041,1042, and 1043. In certain embodiments wherein the rendering of thepairing information (step 1040) is in a rendering format other than abarcode (for example audio, modulated illumination, or modulatedelectromagnetic radiation) the interface system 410 itself may obtainthe pairing information. For example, if the pairing information isrendered by the host computer 28 as near field communication (i.e.modulation of electromagnetic radiation) the accessory may contain acompatible near field communication system and obtain the connectionand/or pairing information using near field communication.

Step 1045 represents the interface system 410 determining the secondconfirmation value (Vb) from the pairing information. The interfacesystem 410 may then determine 1046 whether the first confirmation value(Va) equals the second confirmation value (Vb). If the firstconfirmation value (Va) equals the second confirmation value (Vb), theinterface system 410 may proceed with the pairing procedure. However, ifthe first confirmation value (Va) does not equal the second confirmationvalue (Vb), the interface system 410 may abort 1048 the pairingprocedure. If pairing is proceeding, then the remaining phases of SSP(authentication stage two, link key calculation, and LMP authenticationand encryption) may be performed as described in the Bluetooth® v2.1 (orlater) specification to complete pairing and establish the wirelesscommunication link 40.

At step 1050 the interface system 410 may provide a confirmation thatthe pairing is complete (i.e., that the wireless communication link 40has been established) to the barcode reader 402 and the barcode reader402 may signal that the wireless communication link 40 has beenestablished (and the barcode reader 402 is ready for operation with thehost computer 28) at step 1052 a.

Alternatively, the interface system 410 itself may signal that thewireless communication link 40 has been established (and the barcodereader 402 is ready for operation with the host computer 28) at step1052 b. In either case, signaling may include illumination/modulation ofan indicator light or activation of a vibration motor in a predeterminedmodulation pattern.

Following confirmation of the communication link the interface system410 and the host computer may complete the authentication process, ifrequired, as described in FIG. 3 and represented by step 802.

FIG. 11 illustrates another method 1100 for pairing an electronicdevice, such as an interface system 410, to a host computer 28. In thismethod 1100, pairing between the interface system 410 and the hostcomputer 28 is being performed in accordance with Bluetooth® v2.1 (orlater), and the passkey entry association model is being used.

During public key exchange 1106, the interface system 410 may generate1109 an ECDH public-private key pair (PKa and SKa, respectively). Thehost computer 28 may also generate 1110 an ECDH public-private key pair(PKb and SKb, respectively). The interface system 410 may send 1112 itspublic key (PKa) to the host computer 28. The host computer 28 may send1114 its public key (PKb) to the interface system 410.

During authentication stage one 1108, the host computer 28 may determine1116 a k-bit passkey (rb). The host computer 28 may generate 1118 andrender 1120 the pairing information including the passkey (rb). Thepairing information may be rendered in any of the ways the connectionand/or pairing information could be rendered as described with respectto step 902 (FIG. 9).

Step 1121 represents the barcode reader 402 obtaining the pairinginformation for example by reading a barcode displayed on, or associatedwith, the host computer 28. In other embodiments the barcode reader mayobtain the pairing information by other means compatibly with thetechnology used for rendering the pairing information (step 1120).

Step 1122 represents the barcode reader 402 recognizing that it hasobtained pairing information. As discussed, in embodiments where thepairing information is rendered as a barcode, it is useful for thebarcode reader 402 to be able to distinguish between a barcode thatcontains pairing information and a barcode that includes data which isto be read and processed in the ordinary course of use of the barcodereader 402.

In one embodiment, recognition may be based on a signal from theinterface system 410. For example, if the interface system 410 is notconnected or paired with a host computer 28 it may provide a signal tothe barcode reader 402 indicating that it is not connected or paired anddata from a subsequent barcode read may therefore be recognized aspairing information at step 1122. To further facilitate, upon receipt ofthe signal from the interface system 410 the barcode reader may go intoa “connection mode” wherein a signal is provided to the operator (i.e.,modulation of an indicator light on the housing or a vibrationindicator) indicating to the operator that the operator is to use thebarcode reader 402 to read connection and/or pairing information.

In another embodiment, recognition may be based on the format of thebarcode and/or control information within the barcode. For example, theconnection and/or pairing information may be in a barcode format that isused exclusively for connection and/or pairing information. In anotherexample, the connection and/or pairing information may be preceded by acharacter string or other indicator that is an exclusive indicator forconnection and/or pairing information (or identifies the type ofconnection and/or pairing to be performed) and is therefore recognizedas connection and/or pairing information by the barcode reader 402.

Step 1123 represents transferring the pairing information to theinterface system 410. Step 1124 represents an alternative to steps 1121,1122, and 1123. In certain embodiments wherein the rendering of thepairing information (step 1120) is in a rendering format other than abarcode (for example audio, modulated illumination, or modulatedelectromagnetic radiation) the interface system 410 itself may obtainthe pairing information. For example, if the pairing information isrendered by the host computer 28 as near field communication (i.e.modulation of electromagnetic radiation) the accessory may contain acompatible near field communication system and obtain the connectionand/or pairing information using near field communication.

The interface system 410 may determine 1125 the passkey (rb) from thepairing information, and may set 1126 a passkey variable (ra) equal tothe passkey (rb) received from the host computer 28.

The interface system 410 and the host computer 28 may then perform amulti-stage process 1128. Via the multi-stage process 1128, theinterface system 410 may calculate a first commitment value (Ca), andthe host computer 28 may calculate a second commitment value (Cb). Theinterface system 410 may send the first commitment value (Ca) to thehost computer 28 one segment (e.g., one bit) at a time. Conversely, thehost computer 28 may send the second commitment value (Cb) to theinterface system 410 one segment at a time. Both the interface system410 and the host computer 28 may compare the first commitment value (Ca)with the second commitment value (Cb) one segment at a time. If the hostcomputer 28 displays the audiovisual data that communicates the passkey(rb), the host computer 28 may discontinue displaying the audiovisualdata when comparison of the first commitment value (Ca) with the secondcommitment value (Cb) begins. The interface system 410 and/or the hostcomputer 28 may abort the pairing procedure if any segment of the firstcommitment value (Ca) does not match a corresponding segment of thesecond commitment value (Cb) received from the host computer 28.

The first commitment value (Ca) calculated by the interface system 410may depend on the public key (PKa) for the interface system 410, thepublic key (PKb) for the host computer 28, a random nonce (Na), and thepasskey (rb). Although FIG. 11 shows the first commitment value (Ca)being calculated using the passkey variable (ra), the passkey variable(ra) may be set equal to the passkey (rb), as indicated previously.Therefore, the first commitment value (Ca) may also depend on thepasskey (rb). The second commitment value (Cb) calculated by the hostcomputer 28 may depend on the public key (PKa) for the interface system410, the public key (PKb) for the host computer 28, a random nonce (Nb),and the passkey (rb).

The multi-stage process 1128 is illustrated in FIG. 11 as a series ofoperations that are executed k times. FIG. 11 illustrates theseoperations in relation to the i-th stage of the multi-stage process1128, where i=1, 2, . . . k, and where the passkey (rb) includes k bits.

During the i-th stage of the multi-stage process 1128, the interfacesystem 410 may select 1130 a first random nonce (Nai), and the hostcomputer 28 may select 1132 a second random nonce (Nbi). The interfacesystem 410 may calculate 1134 bit i of the first commitment value (Ca).The host computer 28 may calculate 1136 bit i of the second commitmentvalue (Cb). The interface system 410 may send 1138 bit i of the firstcommitment value (Cai) to the host computer 28.

If the host computer 28 displays the pairing information thatcommunicates the passkey (rb), then in response to receiving the firstbit of the first commitment value (Ca) during the first stage of themulti-stage process 1128 (i.e., for i=1), the host computer 28 may erase1140 the pairing information from the display. The host computer 28 maysend 1142 bit i of the second commitment value (Cbi) to the interfacesystem 410. The interface system 410 may send 1144 bit i of the firstrandom nonce (Nai) to the host computer 28. The host computer 28 maycheck 1146 whether bit i of the first commitment value (Cai) receivedfrom the interface system 410 equals bit i of the second commitmentvalue (Cbi), which it previously calculated 1136. If it does, then thepairing procedure may proceed. If not, the host computer 28 may abortthe pairing procedure.

The host computer 28 may send 1148 bit i of the second random nonce(Nbi) to the interface system 410. The interface system 410 may check1150 whether bit i of the second commitment value (Cbi) received fromthe host computer 28 equals bit i of the first commitment value (Cai),which it previously calculated 1134. If the two bits match, then themulti-stage process 1128 may proceed. If not, the interface system 410may abort the pairing procedure 1151. If pairing has not been abortedafter the multi-stage process 1128 has concluded, then the remainingphases of SSP (authentication stage two, link key calculation, and LMPauthentication and encryption) may be performed as described in theBluetooth® v2.1 (or later) specification.

At step 1152 the interface system 410 may provide a confirmation thatthe pairing is complete (i.e., that the wireless communication link 40has been established) to the barcode reader 402 and the barcode reader402 may signal that the wireless communication link 40 has beenestablished (and the barcode reader 402 is ready for operation with thehost computer 28) at step 1154 a.

Alternatively, the interface system 410 itself may signal that thewireless communication link 40 has been established (and the barcodereader 402 is ready for operation with the host computer 28) at step1154 b. In either case, signaling may include illumination/modulation ofan indicator light or activation of a vibration motor in a predeterminedmodulation pattern.

Following confirmation of the communication link the interface system410 and the host computer may complete the authentication process, ifrequired, as described in FIG. 3 and represented by step 802.

FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 depict certain embodiments of operation forestablishing a wireless communication link 40 between a remote host andthe power/data cable accessory 400 or the battery pack accessory 720.Similar and related systems are described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/916,413, entitled “Communicating Wireless PairingInformation for Pairing an Electronic Device to a Host System,” filed onJun. 12, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

As discussed, when embodied as a presentation barcode reader 11 (in FIG.1B), the barcode reading components may be active substantially theentire time the barcode reader 11 is coupled to remote power such thatreading of a barcode 12 occurs upon the barcode 12 being presented tothe barcode reader 11 by being placed within the field of view 17. Insuch an embodiment, the power received by the power interface 174 a bythe operating power management circuits 172 is being used, atsubstantially the same time that it is being drawn from the remote powersource, to power the barcode reading components, which may include theimage sensor 136, the system package 146, all or part of theillumination system 130—which do not go into a low power or sleep modedue to the barcode reading systems remaining active. Substantiallysimultaneously power is being drawn to operate the wireless interface(RF components) 108 or the barcode reader 11. Stated alternatively,power from the external power source provides power to both the RFcomponents and the barcode reading components (which remain activatedregardless of whether there is a barcode within the field of view 17 andindependent of any actuation by the user to initiate a barcode read) inreal-time; meaning that the power is being drawn from the remote powersource for those components as it is being consumed by those components.

FIG. 12A represents one alternative embodiment 1202 of operation of anobject detection system 109 (FIG. 1B). Referring to FIG. 12A inconjunction with FIG. 2, the image sensor 136 may be utilized for objectdetection but at step 1206 only a central portion of the image sensormay be read out and used to evaluate whether a barcode exists within thefield of view 17, or if the entire image is read out, only pixel valuesfrom a central portion are used to evaluate whether a barcode existswithin the field of view 17. Again, the required image sensor componentsremain active as described, however upon recognizing at step 1208 thatthe portion of the image within the central portion of the field of view17 has a contrast pattern consistent with that of a barcode, the barcodereader 11 may enter a barcode reading mode at step 1210 in which it maycapture a full image of the barcode for decoding.

FIG. 12B represents a second alternative embodiment 1204 of operation ofan object detection system 109 (in FIG. 1B). Referring to FIG. 12B inconjunction with FIG. 2, a separate barcode detection system (i.e., aproximity sensor, a single separate image sensor) may be utilized forobject detection but at step 1212 it may be used to evaluate whether anobject exists within the field of view 17. The required componentsremain active as described and upon recognizing at step 1214 that anobject, which may be consistent with that of a barcode, is presentwithin the field of view 17, the barcode reader 11 may enter a barcodereading mode at step 1216 in which it may capture a full image of thebarcode for decoding.

FIG. 13 depicts an example system including an externally poweredbarcode reader 13, embodied as a presentation barcode reader. Theexternally powered barcode reader 13 may receive its operating powerthrough a power/data cable accessory 400, and communicate with a hostcomputer 28 over a wireless communication link 40 established betweenthe power/data cable accessory 400 and the host computer 28. Theexternally powered barcode reader 13 may include all componentsdescribed with respect to various embodiments of the externally poweredbarcode readers 10 and 11 (e.g., as described with respect to FIG. 2).Alternatively, the externally powered barcode reader 13 may not includethe authentication system 182 and/or the wireless interfaces 108 a and108 b (shown in FIG. 2). The power/data cable accessory 400 includes aninterface system 410, as shown in FIG. 15.

The externally powered barcode reader 13, the interface system 410 ofthe power/data cable accessory 400, and the host computer 28 may operateas described with respect to FIGS. 8-11. FIGS. 14 and 15 depict yetanother exemplary operation of the externally powered barcode reader 13,the interface system 410 of the power/data cable accessory 400, and thehost computer 28. As disclosed above, the interface system 410 may bearranged in the middle of the cables 406, 432 or may be included in oneof the connectors 404, 430 as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C.

Referring to FIG. 15, the barcode reader 13 may be coupled to theinterface system 410 of the power/data cable accessory 400 via a cable406 and a connector 404. The interface system 410 of the power/datacable accessory 400 includes a first power data interface (barcodeinterface) 412, a second power/data interface (USB interface) 428, and awireless interface 416. The interface system 410 may also include theprocessor 420, the memory 423, the authentication system 418, and thepower interface circuits 414.

The connector 404 may be an RJ50 connector, and the first power/datainterface (barcode interface) 412 may provide power and RS232 serialcommunication between the interface system 410 and the barcode reader 13through the multi-conductor cable 406 and the connector 404.

The second power/data interface 428 may be, for example, a USB interface(operating as a USB non-host) for coupling to: i) a power source: or ii)a matting USB port of the host computer 28 (operating as a USB host) viaa multi-conductor cable 432 and a connector 430.

The wireless interface 416 may be, for example, a Bluetooth® interfacefor communicating with a Bluetooth® of the host computer 28 utilizingany communication mode supported by Bluetooth® including a keyboardmode, a USB mode, and a Serial Port Profile (SPP) mode. Any otherwireless local area network (WLAN) interface may also be used.

In operation, the interface system 410 may operate in both a commandmode and a pass through mode. When in a command mode, the processor 420executing firmware within the interface system 410 receives andprocesses information sent by the externally powered barcode reader 13,including providing responses to requests from the externally poweredbarcode reader 13. When in a pass through mode, the processor 420executing firmware within the interface system 410 passes theinformation (e.g., data frames) received from the externally poweredbarcode reader 13 to the host computer 28 by one of the secondpower/data interface 428 or the wireless interface 416. Passing theinformation received from the externally powered barcode reader 13 tothe host computer 28 may include converting the information from theserial port profile format as received by the first power/data interface412 to the applicable one of: i) a keyboard format for wirelesstransmission to the host computer 28 via the wireless interface 416; ii)a serial port profile format for transmission to the host computer 28via the wireless interface 416; or iii) a USB format for wired orwireless transmission to the host computer 28 via the second power/datainterface 428 or the wireless interface 416.

In either the command mode or the pass through mode, the processor 420executing firmware within the interface system 410 may pass information(e.g., data frames) received from the host computer 28 to the externallypowered barcode reader 13. Passing the information received from thehost computer 28 to the externally powered barcode reader 13 may includeconverting the information from the serial port profile, keyboard, orUSB format as received by the interface system 410 to the serial portprofile format used for transmission to the externally powered barcodereader 13 via the first power/data interface 412.

Referring to FIG. 14 in conjunction with FIGS. 13 and 15, step 1402represents the externally powered barcode reader 13 utilizing a commandmode to direct the interface system 410 (e.g., the RF circuit drivers424 and the wireless interface 416) to enter a discoverable mode. Inresponse thereto, the processor 420 executing the applicable firmwareplaces the interface system 410 (e.g., the RF circuit drivers 424 andthe wireless interface 416) into a discoverable mode.

When in a discoverable mode the host computer 28 may initiate formationof a secure RF connection (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the RFsystems of the host computer 28 and the interface system 410 at step1404. Pairing between the host computer 28 and the interface system 410may be performed as described with respect to FIGS. 9-11. The paring maybe performed in response to a user of the host computer 28 selecting theinterface system 410 for pairing. Upon completion of pairing, theprocessor 420, executing firmware of the interface system 410, forexample, may illuminate an indicator light 411 to signal that a securewireless communication connection has been established between theinterface system 410 and the host computer 28. Alternatively, theprocessor 420 may activate generation of other signals, such as audiblesignals or vibrations to signal establishment of the secure wirelesscommunication connection.

Steps 1406 through 1422 represent an authentication process of theexternally powered barcode reader 13 to the host computer 28 as atrusted accessory. In general, the authentication of the barcode reader13 to the host computer 28 utilizes the steps described in FIG. 3.However, unlike the externally powered barcode readers 10 and 11 whichinclude an authentication system 182 within the barcode readers 10 and11, the barcode reader 13 may not include an authentication system andmay utilize the authentication system 418 included in the interfacesystem 410 of the power/data cable accessory 400.

Step 1406 represents the host computer 28 sending a request for anaccessory identifier to the interface system 410. This request may besent when a communication link is first established between theinterface system 410 and the host computer 28. The processor 420 of theinterface system 410 forwards all communications received from the hostcomputer 28 to the externally powered barcode reader 13. Therefore, therequest for the accessory identifier is forwarded to the barcode reader13.

In one embodiment, the accessory identifier may be generated by thebarcode reader 13 or may be a digital certificate stored within thememory of the barcode reader 13. Alternatively, in another embodiment,the accessory identifier may be generated by the interface system 410 ormay be a digital certificate stored by the interface system 410.

Steps 1408 and 1410 are steps utilized when the accessory identifier isgenerated by the interface system 410 or is a digital certificate storedby the interface system 410. More particularly, step 1408 represents thebarcode reader 13 using a command mode to direct the interface system410 to provide its accessory identifier to the barcode reader 13. Inresponse thereto, the processor 420 of the interface system 410executing the applicable firmware may query the authentication system418 for an accessory identifier. As discussed, the accessory identifiermay be generated by the authentication system 418 and/or may be adigital certificate. The authentication system 418 may then return theaccessory identifier to the processor 420. As discussed with respect toFIG. 3, communication between the processor 420 and the authenticationsystem 418 (which may be a coprocessor) may be performed by way of I2Ccommunication over an internal bus.

Step 1410 represents the processor 420 of the interface system 410returning the accessory identifier to the barcode reader 13. Step 1412represents the barcode reader 13 using a pass through mode to return theaccessory identifier to the host computer 28 through the interfacesystem 410. As discussed, in the pass through mode the processor 420 ofthe interface system 410 forwards the communication received from thebarcode reader 13 to the host computer 28. Where the accessoryidentifier is generated by the barcode reader 13 or is a digitalcertificate stored within the memory of the barcode reader 13, steps1408 and 1410 may be omitted.

After validating the accessory identifier, the host computer 28 may sendan authentication challenge to the interface system 410 at step 1414. Asdiscussed with respect to step 210 of FIG. 3, the authenticationchallenge may be a random number encrypted with a public encryption keyof the digital certificate. As discussed, the processor 420 of theinterface system 410 passes the authentication challenge received fromthe host computer 28 to the barcode reader 13.

Step 1416 represents the barcode reader 13 utilizing a command mode toprovide the authentication challenge to the processor 420 of theinterface system 410 and to direct the processor 420 to return anauthentication response. In response thereto the processor 420 of theinterface system 410 presents the authentication challenge to theauthentication system 418, obtains an authentication response from theauthentication system 418, and provides the authentication response backto the barcode reader 13 at step 1418.

After receiving the authentication response from the interface system410, the barcode reader 13 returns the authentication response to thehost computer 28 through the interface system 410 using a pass throughmode at step 1420. When the authentication response is sent using a passthrough mode, the processor 420 of the interface system 410 receivingthe authentication response forwards it to the host computer 28.

If the barcode reader 13 has properly authenticated as a trustedaccessory, the host computer 28 may authorize communication with thebarcode reader 13 at step 1422. Again, the processor 420 of theinterface system passes the authorization to the barcode reader 13.

After authentication the externally powered barcode reader 13 is capableof communicating with the host computer 28 via the interface system 410using a pass through mode. After authentication, the ready state may beindicated to a user by the interface system 410 or by the barcode reader13. The interface system 410 may send a message to the barcode reader 13(via the first power/data interface 412 and the connector 404)confirming completion of authentication, and the barcode reader 13 maygenerate a signal (for example illumination of an indicator light,generation of an audible signal, or activation of a vibration motor) tonotify the user of completion of authentication and the ready state.Alternatively, the interface system 410 may generate a signal (forexample illumination of an indicator light, generation of an audiblesignal, or activation of a vibration motor within a housing portion ofthe power/data cable accessory 400) to notify the user of completion ofauthentication and the ready state.

Step 1424 represents the barcode reader 13 providing decoded data to thehost computer 28 via the interface system 410 using a pass through mode.The barcode reader 13 may package the decoded data as a data packet, asdescribed with respect to FIG. 4B. The packaging includes formattingand/or supplementing the decoded data so that it conforms to thespecification ID 316 and adding a header to the data which includesidentification of the packet as a custom data packet and thespecification ID 316.

Step 1426 represents the barcode reader 13 sending control packets tothe host computer 28 via the interface system 410 using a pass throughmode. Step 1428 represents the host computer 28 sending custom datapackets to the barcode reader 13 via the interface system 410. Step 1430represents the host computer 28 sending control packets to the barcodereader 13 via the interface system 410. A control or configurationapplication operating on the host computer 28 may generate configurationcontrol commands for the barcode reader 13 and send them to the barcodereader 13 via the interface system 410.

The host computer 28 packages the control or configuration commands ascustom data packets as previously described. This may include, asdescribed with respect to FIG. 4B, formatting and/or supplementing thecontrol or configuration commands so that they conform to thespecification ID 316 and adding a header to the data which includesidentification of the packet as a custom data packet and thespecification ID 316. Even though a configuration or control command maybe a control command to the barcode reader 13, it is data for purposesof the protocol communications between the interface system 410 and thehost computer 28.

One or more of the features, functions, procedures, operations,components, elements, structures, etc. described in connection with anyone of the configurations described herein may be combined with one ormore of the functions, procedures, operations, components, elements,structures, etc. described in connection with any of the otherconfigurations described herein, where compatible.

The steps and/or actions of the methods described herein may beinterchanged with one another without departing from the scope of theclaims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions isrequired for proper operation of the method that is being described, theorder and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modifiedwithout departing from the scope of the claims.

The claims are not limited to the specific implementations describedabove. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in thearrangement, operation and details of the implementations describedherein without departing from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An externally powered barcode reader, comprising:a connector for receiving operating power from a remote power source viaan interface system comprising an authentication system and a flexiblecable coupled between the barcode reader and a host computer, theinterface system being distinct from the barcode reader, wherein theauthentication system and the barcode reader are coupled using at leastthe flexible cable; a system for capturing a pattern of a barcode withina field of view of the barcode reader; and a processor configured tocommunicate information with the host computer via the flexible cableafter successful authentication of the barcode reader with the hostcomputer as a trusted accessory using the authentication system includedin the interface system.
 2. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is configured to send information in a command mode to requestthe interface system to process the information, and send information ina pass through mode to pass the information to the host computer via theinterface system.
 3. The barcode reader of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is configured to send a request to the interface system toplace the interface system into a discoverable mode.
 4. The barcodereader of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive arequest for an accessory identifier sent from the host computer via theinterface system, send the request for the accessory identifier to theinterface system, receive the accessory identifier from the interfacesystem, and send the accessory identifier received from the interfacesystem to the host computer via the interface system.
 5. The barcodereader of claim 4, wherein the accessory identifier is generated by theauthentication system in the interface system or a digital certificatestored in the interface system.
 6. The barcode reader of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to receive an authenticationchallenge from the host computer via the interface system, send theauthentication challenge to the interface system, receive anauthentication response from the interface system, and send theauthentication response generated by the authentication system includedin the interface system to the host computer via the interface system.7. An externally powered barcode reader, comprising: a system forcapturing a pattern of a barcode within a field of view of the barcodereader; a connector for receiving operating power from a remote powersource via an interface system comprising an authentication system and apower/data cable coupled between the barcode reader and a host computer,the interface system being distinct from the barcode reader, wherein theauthentication system and the barcode reader are coupled using at leastthe power/data cable; a processor; and a code, stored in memory andexecuted by the processor, for communicating information with the hostcomputer via the power/data cable after successful authentication of thebarcode reader with the host computer as a trusted accessory using theauthentication system included in the interface system.
 8. The barcodereader of claim 7, further comprising: a code, stored in the memory andexecuted by the processor, for sending a request to the interface systemto place the interface system into a discoverable mode.
 9. The barcodereader of claim 7, further comprising: a code, stored in the memory andexecuted by the processor, for receiving a request for an accessoryidentifier sent from the host computer via the interface system, sendingthe request for the accessory identifier to the interface system,receiving the accessory identifier from the interface system, andsending the accessory identifier received from the interface system tothe host computer via the interface system.
 10. The barcode reader ofclaim 9, wherein the accessory identifier is generated by theauthentication system in the interface system or a digital certificatestored in the interface system.
 11. The barcode reader of claim 7,further comprising: a code, stored in the memory and executed by theprocessor, for receiving an authentication challenge from the hostcomputer via the interface system, sending the authentication challengeto the interface system, receiving an authentication response from theinterface system, and sending the authentication response generated bythe interface system to the host computer via the interface system.